Second Dan Sullivan ineligible for ballot in Alaska Senate race, official rules

Washington — A candidate for Senate in Alaska with the same name as Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan is not eligible to appear on the ballot in the state's primary, an Alaska election official determined on Monday, citing a "determined effort and a deliberate attempt" to confuse Alaska voters. The candidate, named Daniel J. Sullivan, announced earlier this month that he was challenging the sitting senator, sparking confusion months ahead of the August primary — and concern among Republicans. In a letter to the candidate on Monday, Elections Director Carol Beecher concluded that Sullivan's entry into the race was not done to "declare an actual good-faith candidacy for the office of United States Senator, but was instead filed with a purpose to confuse or mislead and to thereby compromise the ballot's fairness or neutrality." Beecher noted that at one point, Daniel J. Sullivan tried to file as just "Dan Sullivan," despite never using that iteration of his name to vote. Beecher pointed out that Daniel J. Sullivan even tried to list "S" as his middle initial — the same initial as the incumbent senator. She also outlined how the two campaign websites look similar, suggesting a "deliberate" appropriation of Sen. Sullivan's campaign. …