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News · United StatesTwo Dan Sullivans on the same ballot: the trick under investigation in Alaska
According to The New York Times, Democratic operatives discussed fielding a candidate with almost the same name as Republican senator Dan Sullivan to confuse voters. A criminal investigation is already underway.
Translated from the original Spanish article. Read in Spanish
News published on October 29, 2026. The situation may have changed since then.
In Alaska, the Senate race has an unusual problem: two Dan Sullivans appear on the ballot.
The trick
One is Republican senator Dan S. Sullivan, who is running for re-election. The other is Daniel J. Sullivan Jr., an almost unknown candidate.
According to The New York Times, Democratic Party operatives discussed recruiting this second Sullivan so that his nearly identical name would confuse voters and take votes away from the senator.
The second Sullivan changed his voter registration from Republican to undeclared, according to the Alaska Beacon.
Who denies it
Senator Sullivan accuses the campaign of his rival, Democrat Mary Peltola, and senior figures at the Democratic Senate committee (DSCC) of a "secret scheme" to trick voters.
Peltola's campaign and the DSCC deny any involvement.
Alaska's other Republican senator, Lisa Murkowski, condemned the scheme.
An investigation is underway
Two sources told Fox News that the US Attorney's Office in Alaska is conducting a criminal investigation and that grand jury subpoenas are expected. The Justice Department declined to comment.
Donald Trump called for Peltola to withdraw from the race, to be prosecuted, and for the second Sullivan to be removed from the ballot.
Why it matters
The midterm elections are on November 3, and every Senate seat can decide who controls Congress.
For another controversy from this campaign, read [the Obama–Trump fight over the Cheesecake Factory](obama-cheesecake.html).
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Sources (in Spanish)
- El plan, las acusaciones, las negativas y la investigación: Fox News (28 de octubre de 2026), que cita a The New York Times y al Alaska Beacon.
Photos are from Wikimedia Commons under free licenses; the author and license are shown under each image.
