By SUZANNE DOWNING
Oct. 19, 2026 — An outside super PAC promoting “Decoy Dan” Sullivan has received nearly $1 million from a major progressive funding organization. It’s new financial connection to the allegations that Democratic interests are boosting the namesake candidate to undermine Alaska Sen. Dan S. Sullivan.
The New York Post reported Monday that Right for Alaska received approximately $990,000 from the Sixteen Thirty Fund and another $1.8 million from Liberty Force Action Fund. The Post’s review of federal disclosures puts the super PAC’s spending supporting Dan J. Sullivan — Decoy Dan — at nearly $1.15 million.
The Alaska Story identified Right for Alaska’s Democratic funding months ago, when the organization was promoting another little-known Republican Senate candidate, Gerald Heikes.
In an Aug. 10 investigation, The Alaska Story reported that the Wisconsin-addressed super PAC was financing mailers presenting Heikes as a Christian conservative alternative to the incumbent.
At that point, its only disclosed contributor through June was William H. Harris Sr., a Massachusetts donor who had given $100,000. His contribution history included substantial support for Democratic candidates, party committees, and progressive political organizations.
The group had already reported roughly $515,000 in spending in Alaska’s Senate race, exceeding the receipts disclosed through June. The unanswered question was who would appear in subsequent reports as the operation’s additional financial backers.
The new disclosures provide a substantial part of that answer. Now, it appears this same group is supporting both Heikes on the right and Decoy Dan on the left of Sullivan — a vote draining operation.
Sixteen Thirty Fund is a major progressive funding hub associated with the nonprofit network historically serviced by Arabella Advisors. Arabella’s successor operation is called Sunflower Services — a rebranding to escape the George Soros reputation. The network has also drawn scrutiny from the Republican-led House Oversight Committee over disclosure practices involving other political activities.
Liberty Force Action Fund adds another layer between the super PAC and its underlying donors. As a nonprofit organized under Section 501(c)(4), it generally does not publicly disclose its contributors.
The new money also brings a familiar name back into view: Thomas Datwyler.
The Alaska Story’s August investigation identified Datwyler as Right for Alaska’s treasurer. According to the Post, he is also listed as treasurer of Liberty Force Action Fund, connecting the organization supplying $1.8 million with the super PAC receiving it. The Post reported that Datwyler did not respond to its request for comment.
Dan J. Sullivan, a retired teacher running with a Republican affiliation, shares the incumbent’s first and last names. Republicans contend that his candidacy and the outside spending promoting him are intended to exploit voter confusion and help Democrat Mary Peltola.
Those allegations have generated election litigation and federal campaign-finance complaints. The financial disclosures establish progressive funding behind the super PAC; they do not, by themselves, establish unlawful coordination with a candidate.
The distinction between the two Sullivans will be seen as voters examine their November ballots: The incumbent senator is Dan S. Sullivan. The namesake challenger is Dan J. Sullivan.
Alaska’s ranked-choice system adds another consideration. A first-choice vote for the namesake candidate does not necessarily disappear from the incumbent’s potential total: It can transfer to the senator if the namesake is eliminated and the voter has ranked the senator next among continuing candidates. A ballot without another continuing choice becomes exhausted.
That makes both voter identification and subsequent rankings more consequential in a close contest.
One thought on “Democratic dark money surfaces behind ‘Decoy Dan,’, expanding on Alaska Story investigation”
On a previous article Nate claimed that “Ranked choice takes the gamesmanship out of competitive races.” Nate, what say you about this competitive race and the blatant gamesmanship?