With Alaska voters heading to the polls, President Donald Trump issued an unusually pointed warning to Republicans: Make sure the Dan Sullivan you vote for is the Dan Sullivan you intended to vote for.
The warning comes as Republican Sen. Dan S. Sullivan seeks a third term while another candidate, Daniel J. Sullivan Jr., appears on the same Senate ballot. The second Sullivan is a retired teacher and registered Republican whose candidacy survived a legal challenge after state election officials initially tried to keep him off the ballot.
Trump left little doubt about what he believes is happening.
“Don’t let these Fraudsters get away with this HOAX,” Trump wrote on social media.
Daniel J. Sullivan Jr., however, has denied that his candidacy is designed to deceive voters.
“I’m not trying to trick people,” he told The Associated Press in June, explaining his decision to run by saying, “I just decided it was something I needed to do.”
Republicans challenging his candidacy saw matters differently.
ALASKA: Be careful, VOTE FOR THE REAL DAN SULLIVAN TODAY. Through me, he’s brought HUNDREDS OF BILLIONS OF DOLLARS BACK TO YOUR STATE. The Dumocrats know how good he is and have put up an imposter of the same name. Vote for the “INCUMBENT SENATOR.” Don’t let these Fraudsters get… pic.twitter.com/62wizVXdy7
— Commentary Donald J. Trump Truth Social Posts On X (@TrumpTruthOnX) August 18, 2026
The Alaska Division of Elections initially rejected Sullivan Jr.’s filing after determining that it was not a “good-faith candidacy” and was “instead filed with a purpose to confuse or mislead and to thereby compromise the ballot’s fairness or neutrality,” according to the Associated Press.
The dispute soon moved into court.
Opponents pointed to Sullivan Jr.’s political affiliation, arguing that he had changed his registration to Republican shortly before filing despite having no previous Republican affiliation. They characterized him as “a sham candidate intent on sowing chaos” and argued that confusion between the two Sullivans could benefit Democratic U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola, who is also running for the Senate seat.
Sullivan Jr. ultimately prevailed in the ballot dispute, with the Alaska Supreme Court allowing his candidacy to proceed.
That leaves Alaska voters looking at a crowded field. The Senate ballot contains 16 candidates, according to Ballotpedia, including Peltola and both men named Sullivan.
Alaska’s top-four election system raises the stakes of the primary. Rather than holding traditional party primaries that produce one nominee from each party, the four candidates receiving the most votes advance to November’s general election.
ALASKA – The Crooked, Radical Left Dumocrats are working to STEAL votes from YOUR Great Incumbent Senator, @DanSullivan_AK.
“SULLIVAN, DAN S.” is the Trump-endorsed Dan Sullivan to vote for!https://t.co/OKZ7m5vBIJ pic.twitter.com/e9UjbXYiAF
— Team Trump (Text TRUMP to 88022) (@TeamTrump) August 17, 2026
Trump is making sure Republican voters know exactly which Sullivan he supports.
“Be careful, VOTE FOR THE REAL DAN SULLIVAN TODAY,” Trump wrote. “Through me, he’s brought HUNDREDS OF BILLIONS OF DOLLARS BACK TO YOUR STATE. The Dumocrats know how good he is and have put up an imposter of the same name.”
Trump had also issued an endorsement of the incumbent on Sunday, specifically identifying him as “SULLIVAN, Dan S” — a distinction that suddenly matters quite a bit with two similar names appearing on the ballot.
“SULLIVAN, Dan S has my Complete and Total Endorsement for Re-Election,” Trump wrote. “HE WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN.”
Behind the strange ballot-name dispute is a Senate race with consequences for the balance of power in Washington.
