On Independence Day, while second-term Republican Senator Dan Sullivan and his Democratic rival Mary Peltola headlined parades across Alaska, another Dan Sullivan was quietly watching from the sidelines in the small fishing community of Petersburg.
This Dan Sullivan — Dan J. Sullivan — is a retired schoolteacher who is also running for the U.S. Senate. But on the Fourth of July, he chose not to campaign. "I didn’t want to turn it into something that was about me rather than about the celebration," he said.
Who is Dan J. Sullivan?
Dan J. Sullivan is a retired schoolteacher who has lived in Petersburg, Alaska, for many years. He is running as a Republican in the same race as the sitting Senator Dan Sullivan. According to Anchorage Daily News, he says he has met all the requirements to run and is not backing down.
His candidacy has drawn intense blowback from the start. Many people questioned whether he was running simply to confuse voters or to troll the incumbent. But Dan J. Sullivan insists his campaign is serious.
Not a Troll, Says Candidate
Dan J. Sullivan has made it clear that he is not trying to trick anyone. He says he is running because he believes in the Republican Party and wants to serve Alaska. "I’m not trolling," he has said. "I’m running for office because that’s how I was raised."
The state of Alaska has even opened a probe into his candidacy, according to Anchorage Daily News. But Dan J. Sullivan says he is legally allowed to run and is not backing down.
What This Means for the Race
The U.S. Senate race in Alaska is already competitive. Incumbent Senator Dan Sullivan is a Republican, and Democrat Mary Peltola is his chief rival. The addition of a third candidate with the same name and party as the incumbent could create confusion among voters.
But Dan J. Sullivan says he is not trying to split the vote or cause chaos. He says he is a serious candidate with his own ideas and plans for Alaska.
Our Take: A Confusing but Legal Campaign
In our view, Dan J. Sullivan has every right to run for office. He is a retired schoolteacher who wants to serve his state. But it is hard to ignore the confusion his name creates. Voters will have to pay close attention to the ballot to make sure they are voting for the right Dan Sullivan.
Whether this is a clever strategy or a genuine campaign, one thing is clear: Dan J. Sullivan is not going away. He says he is in it to win it, and he is not trolling anyone.
