Dan J. Sullivan of Petersburg will appear on the ballot for U.S. Senate in the August 18 primary, according to a report published August 3. Sullivan will be listed as Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. on the ballot, and his Republican party designation will not be included next to his name.
Sullivan said he has mixed feelings regarding his appearance on the ballot, noting that while it feels a bit unfair, it removes the idea of trickery. He maintained that he never intended to fool anyone.
His candidacy follows a legal dispute in June when the Alaska Division of Elections attempted to remove him from the ballot following allegations of dishonesty from Republicans, including incumbent Senator Dan Sullivan. The Alaska Supreme Court ruled that Sullivan could appear on the ballot but left the specific listing format to the Division of Elections.
Sullivan stated he is running because he sees a decline rather than progress in Petersburg, Alaska, and the country. His primary policy interests include decreasing the cost of living, improving healthcare access, and addressing affordable housing issues.
Regarding economic policy, Sullivan suggested that tariffs can be effective tools if used precisely, though he noted they can raise prices if used without specific goals. He also expressed concerns regarding the Department of Government Efficiency, stating that cuts to federal employees and data resulted in the loss of important scientific data for fisheries programs.
Sullivan, a former member of the Alaska Independence Party who later joined the Republican Party, said he aims to appeal to Republican voters who are critical of the Trump administration. He described his upbringing as business-oriented with values centered on low taxes, law and order, and compassion.
Sullivan expressed support for Alaska's open primary and ranked choice voting systems. He noted that the current system provides Alaskans with more choices on the ballot, even if some candidates may not be considered highly qualified.
