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Sullivan and Peltola Projected to Advance in Alaska as Grand Jury Probes Same‑Name Challenger

Federal subpoenas over a candidate who shares the incumbent’s name raise free‑speech and election‑law questions that could influence the November Senate contest.

Overview

  • Major outlets project that Republican Sen. Dan S. Sullivan and Democrat Mary Peltola will advance from Alaska’s top‑four primary to the November ranked‑choice general election after ballots were cast in Tuesday’s primary.
  • A retired Petersburg teacher, Daniel J. Sullivan, ran on the same ballot as the incumbent and survived an Alaska Division of Elections disqualification that an Alaska Superior Court judge later overturned on constitutional and statutory grounds.
  • Federal investigators have issued grand jury subpoenas seeking information tied to the Daniel J. Sullivan campaign as officials examine whether the candidacy was part of a scheme to confuse voters or amounted to fraud.
  • The challenger says he is running in good faith, has donated to and supported Peltola in past races, and denies coordination with Democrats while Sen. Sullivan and GOP allies accuse him and warn voters to distinguish the candidates; President Trump publicly endorsed Sen. Sullivan.
  • Alaska’s all‑party top‑four primary and November ranked‑choice voting magnify the stakes because a confusing or similar‑named candidacy can change which four candidates reach the general election and thus affect the balance of the U.S. Senate, a race that has drawn heavy outside spending.