On Monday, Alaska’s director of elections decided that Dan J. Sullivan should be removed from the ballot for the state’s Senate race. This decision is open to challenge in a state court.

Before this ruling, there were two Dan Sullivans listed among the candidates for Alaska’s U.S. Senate race. Dan J. Sullivan, a Republican candidate with the same name as the incumbent Senator Dan S. Sullivan, has been deemed ineligible.

Republicans accused the Democrats of trying to mislead voters. They suggested that the entry of Dan J. Sullivan, who is a former teacher, into the race could draw votes away from Senator Dan S. Sullivan, assisting Democratic candidate Mary Peltola’s campaign. Both Peltola and Dan J. Sullivan have rejected claims of any collusion, with Dan J. Sullivan maintaining his campaign was genuine.

State Republican election officials disagreed with Dan J. Sullivan’s candidacy. An inquiry led by Lt. Gov Nancy Dahlstrom began the previous week. Carol Beecher, the state’s elections director, initially stated she would likely remove him from the ballot unless he provided substantial proof of his candidacy’s legitimacy.

On Monday, Beecher announced she had not received any convincing proof supporting his candidacy. She stated, “A declaration of candidacy filed for the purpose of confusing or misleading voters and compromising the fairness of the ballot is not properly filed. I am de-certifying your candidacy for United States Senator.”

Beecher’s decision cited various pieces of evidence. Notably, she pointed out Dan J. Sullivan’s request to appear on the ballot as “Dan Sullivan,” instead of his registered name “Daniel J. Sullivan, Jr.” This was perceived as an attempt to confuse voters regarding which Sullivan was on the ballot.

Beecher added that Dan J. Sullivan seemed confused himself, referencing an email he sent to the Division, requesting the name “Dan S. Sullivan” on the ballot, mistakenly using Senator Sullivan’s middle initial instead of his own.