Incumbent Republican Senator Dan S. Sullivan will be joined on Alaska's general election ballot by a challenger with a nearly identical name, Dan J. Sullivan. The challenger, a retired school teacher, has advanced to the general election, creating potential voter confusion in a highly competitive race.
The contest also includes Democrat Mary Peltola, a former U.S. House representative. Polls indicate that Peltola and the incumbent senator are neck-and-neck in a state that has not sent a Democrat to the Senate since 2008.
Senator Dan S. Sullivan has condemned Dan J. Sullivan, claiming the retired teacher is running at the behest of Democrats to confuse supporters. The presence of two candidates with nearly identical names adds a twist to the race, particularly given Alaska's ranked choice voting system, and could pose trouble for Republicans.