A same-name challenger is fighting disqualification in court. Dan J. Sullivan, a retired teacher, was blocked from the state’s Senate race. He filed a lawsuit to remain on the August primary ballot after Director of Elections Carol Beecher disqualified his candidacy.
Background
Beecher determined that Dan J. Sullivan did not launch his campaign ‘in good faith,’ and sought to ‘confuse or mislead’ voters at the ballot box. However, counsel affiliated with the same-name candidate argues that his removal runs afoul of state law.
The fate of his candidacy could prove decisive in the state’s hotly contested Senate race in which Sen. Dan S. Sullivan is seeking a third term in the Republican-leaning state. Democrats are hoping that former Rep. Mary Peltola will unseat Sullivan in November.
Primary Ballots
Primary ballots are expected to be printed later this month. Under Alaska’s open primary system, the top four vote-getters will advance to the November general election.
Republicans have argued that Dan J. Sullivan’s candidacy is a ‘sham’ attempt orchestrated by Democratic operatives to potentially trip up voters and siphon off votes from the incumbent, but Democrats, including Peltola, have denied involvement.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
