Same name, same party: Dan Sullivan says Dan Sullivan’s vote sabotage may hand Democrats the Senate

Alaska Republicans face a bizarre problem in Tuesday’s U.S. Senate primary: two candidates named Dan Sullivan are on the ballot, and the mix-up could help Democrats.

Sen. Dan S. Sullivan, the Republican incumbent, is seeking a third term against Democrat and former Rep. Mary Peltola. He also must beat Dan J. Sullivan Jr., a retired teacher running as a Republican with no ties to the senator.

Under Alaska’s system, the top four primary finishers advance to November regardless of party. If both Sullivans make the cut, they could split the Republican vote in a race that may decide control of the Senate.

Mr. Sullivan, the incumbent, has accused his same-named rival of trying to sabotage his campaign to help Ms. Peltola, citing the challenger’s past donations to Democrats. “His whole purpose of running is to confuse Alaskans … so they can rig the vote in favor of Mary Peltola,” he said.

The challenger denies coordinating with Democrats and says he shares the name with his father and grandfather. Ms. Peltola’s campaign and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee deny any meddling.

On the eve of the primary, President Trump backed the incumbent, writing on social media that Democrats put up the second Sullivan to “take Votes away from our Great Senator.”

Alaska election officials initially removed the challenger from the ballot, but the state Supreme Court ordered his name restored in July.

Read more:

• Seeing double? Candidates with the same name face off in Alaska Senate race