US Sen. Dan Sullivan's same-name challenger can be on primary ballot, Alaska Supreme Court rules

Source: CNN Politics/AP

Updated Jun 29, 2026, 7:37 PM ET
PUBLISHED Jun 29, 2026, 7:37 PM ET


AP - The Alaska Supreme Court on Monday ruled that a man with the same name and party affiliation as Alaska Republican US Sen. Dan Sullivan is qualified to run for the seat and ordered elections officials to place him on the August primary ballot.

The ruling came hours after arguments Monday and just days after state court Judge Thomas Matthews found the Division of Elections had “abused its discretion” in booting the challenger Sullivan from the ballot. The state Supreme Court, in a brief ruling, affirmed Matthews’ decision but sent back to the division the issue of how the challenger should be listed on the ballot, “within the confines of existing Alaska ballot design law.”

The court said a full opinion explaining its decision would be released later.

The division’s director, Carol Beecher, issued a decision June 15 that found the challenger’s candidacy was not filed in good faith and instead was done with an intent to confuse voters. But Matthews said Beecher’s decision was not based on the requirements set out by the US Constitution to serve in the Senate — which address age, citizenship and residency — or on state laws or regulations.

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2026/06/29/politics/dan-sullivan-ballot-alaska-supreme-court