JUNEAU — Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. filed a legal challenge aimed at overturning his disqualification from the Alaska U.S. Senate primary ballot. Election officials had ruled that his candidacy was intended to confuse voters.

Alaska Division of Elections Director Carol Beecher disqualified Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. from the August primary ballot on June 15. Beecher concluded that his declaration of candidacy was not filed in good faith, but with the purpose of confusing or misleading voters. Attorneys for Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. stated that Beecher's decision violates state and federal law, and the legal filing requests that he be placed on the ballot.

Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. shares the same name and Republican party affiliation as incumbent U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan. Prior to the disqualification, Alaska Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom announced an investigation into Daniel J. Sullivan Jr.'s candidacy. Dahlstrom cited allegations that he declared his candidacy in coordination with another candidate to confuse voters.

Senator Dan Sullivan and the National Republican Senatorial Committee condemned Daniel J. Sullivan Jr.'s entry into the race. They alleged he was working with Democrats to boost the chances of former U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola. Peltola’s campaign denied these allegations, as did state Democrats. Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. also denied allegations of coordination with Democratic officials. He stated, “I had no contact with Mary Peltola’s campaign.”

Beecher did not cite evidence of coordination with Mary Peltola or Democratic Party officials in her disqualification decision. Instead, she cited Daniel J. Sullivan Jr.'s registration to vote as Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. and his change of party affiliation to Republican in conjunction with his candidacy. Beecher also cited similarities between his campaign website and Senator Dan Sullivan's website as a factor in her decision. Additionally, she noted Daniel J. Sullivan Jr.'s work with a consultant whose clients have included Democrats.

Legislative attorney Andrew Dunmire stated that the regulation cited by Beecher does not forbid placing Daniel J. Sullivan Jr.'s name on the ballot. Dunmire added that the elections division could comply with ballot fairness regulations by designing the ballot to distinguish between the two candidates. He also stated his opinion that the division could only disqualify a congressional candidate if they did not meet the age, residency, or citizenship qualifications outlined in the U.S. Constitution.

Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. was initially certified and listed on the state’s candidate list as Dan J. Sullivan. Senator Dan Sullivan was listed on the candidate list as Dan S. Sullivan and denoted as the incumbent. Alaska utilizes open primaries where the top four vote-getters advance to the ranked-choice general election, regardless of party affiliation.