By SUZANNE DOWNING
June 12, 2026 – The Alaska Division of Elections has preliminarily determined that Petersburg candidate Daniel J. Sullivan (Decoy Dan) is not eligible to run for the US Senate, buttressing points made by an Alaska Republican Party complaint that argued he falsely identified himself as a Republican candidate when he filed for office.
In a letter to the Petersburg Dan, Division of Elections Director Carol Beecher informed him that the Division’s review found that “the preponderance of evidence does not support your eligibility for the office of United States Senator.” Sullivan has until 5 p.m. Thursday to provide additional information before a final decision is issued.
The preliminary ruling marks the first official state finding against Sullivan, whose candidacy has drawn statewide and national attention because he shares the same name as incumbent US Sen. Dan Sullivan.
Republicans accused the Petersburg Poser of participating in a scheme designed to confuse voters and siphon support from the incumbent senator, the Division’s determination appears to rest on a narrower legal question: whether Sullivan accurately represented his political party affiliation when he filed his declaration of candidacy.
According to a complaint filed by the Alaska Republican Party through attorneys at Holmes Weddle & Barcott, Alaska law requires candidates to list the political party with which they are registered at the time they file for office. The complaint argues that Daniel J. Sullivan declared himself a Republican candidate for US Senate even though Division of Elections records showed his voter registration status as “Undeclared” when he submitted his paperwork.
“The statute requires a declaration to state the political party ‘with which the candidate is registered as affiliated’ — a mandatory requirement measured at the time of filing,” attorney Stacey Stone wrote on behalf of Alaska Republican Party Chairman Carmela Warfield. The complaint further argues that Alaska Supreme Court precedent prohibits candidates from misrepresenting their party affiliation on the ballot.
The Republican Party’s filing included copies of Sullivan’s declaration of candidacy and voter registration records that party officials say show a history of registrations as nonpartisan, undeclared, and Alaska Independence Party, but not Republican. The complaint also pointed to what it described as conflicting statements made by Sullivan regarding his voter registration history.
According to the filing, Sullivan told Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom that he had historically been affiliated with the Alaska Independence Party. However, in a recent interview with reporters, he reportedly said he had registered as a Republican in December 2025. Republican officials contend those statements are inconsistent with the voter registration records obtained from the state.
The challenge emerged after Sullivan entered the Senate race shortly before the June 1 filing deadline. Republicans quickly raised concerns about the candidacy, noting that he shares the same name as Alaska’s senior US senator and arguing that the campaign could create voter confusion in Alaska’s jungle primary and ranked-choice voting system.
The controversy escalated after reports surfaced that Democratic political consultant Amber Lee had assisted with branding and campaign materials for Sullivan’s candidacy. The National Republican Senatorial Committee subsequently filed complaints with the Federal Election Commission alleging potential violations of federal campaign law and claiming the candidacy was part of a coordinated effort to benefit Democrat Mary Peltola’s Senate campaign. The outcome of those complaints are pending.
Decoy Dan Sullivan has consistently denied those allegations. He has maintained that he is a legitimate Republican candidate running independently and has rejected claims that he is working with Democrats or attempting to mislead voters. His record reveals a long history of contributing to Democrat candidates and no history of support for Republicans.
The Division of Elections did not publicly detail all of the evidence supporting its preliminary determination.
If the Division upholds its preliminary finding after Thursday’s response deadline, Sullivan could be removed from the ballot before the Aug. 18 primary election. But, of course, there will be a lawsuit.
5 thoughts on “Division of Elections has a ruling for Decoy Dan: Nope.”
WARNING: Since the Democrats own the judiciary, they will make a POLITICAL, instead of a just decision. But the Governor need not enforce a judicial decree. They are not binding. We are in a nasty fight, Dem’s do not play by the rules, but when they do, they become instant “Play-by-the rules” Karens. It will be very interesting. All the Republicans need to do is to delay the ruling through appeals until the printing deadline for the ballots is reached, at which time the ballots will have to be printed WITHOUT the fake candidate’s name. Mary Peltola is a wooden-headed puppet of what is merely the left wing of a sinister bird of prey. Her ads are lies and filled with vacuous and empty platitudes. But remember, the REAL Dan Sullivan is a member of the CFR, the apex of globalist, Deep State organizations, making him the right wing. The choices we have are that bad.
Bob,
As a former AIP chairman and US Senate candidate are you at all familiar with Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. and his AIP membership/support?
“……… But, of course, there will be a lawsuit…………”
1) A civil lawsuit, decided on a preponderance of evidence. I contend that Decoy Dan loses on such terms.
2) Who pays his legal fees? Follow the money, and review #1 above.
3) Yet another ballot initiative to repeal ranked choice voting in Alaska will be on the ballot this fall, and Decoy Dan’s fun and games might just be the ticket to get it passed. Thanks, Dan. Maybe you actually can do some good, even while trying to do evil.
4) File that suit, Dan. Make my day………….
First obvious question , Is he or is he not a member of the Republican PARTY?
Second Question , does he qualify to be on the People’s Ballot ?
Third question, is his real name Dan J Sullivan?
Forth question, do any of these questions false?
One observation after these answers are answered might be , is he a fraud or was this a political manipulation ? Liberty Ed
Welcome back to the party, Ed. And welcome home!