Two Sullivans in Alaska - do Democrats want to rig the election?

US midterm elections in Alaska Double Sullivan - dirty trick of the Democrats? As of: October 31, 2026 • 11:51 a.m

In Alaska, there are signs of a tight race for the Senate post in the US midterm elections. The Republican incumbent Sullivan is also fighting against similar competition. A foul by the Democrats? Now the Justice Department is suing.

Daniel S. Sullivan represents Alaska as a senator in the US Congress. The former soldier is 61 years old and a Republican.

Daniel J. Sullivan is eight years older. The former primary school teacher says he enjoys hunting and fishing - he has not held any political office to date. In the midterm elections, he will be on the ballot next to incumbent Sullivan. Coincidence? Or attempted voter deception to benefit the Democratic candidate?

This is not the Republican senator - even though he has the same name. However, former elementary school teacher Dan Sullivan could cost incumbent Dan Sullivan votes.

The Trump administration is already talking about election fraud. The Justice Department opened an investigation. The responsible federal prosecutor, Michael Heyman, announced that the investigation had been intensified following a report in the New York Times. It's about the accusation that the Democrats recruited a hopeless candidate in order to harm the Republican incumbent.

The newspaper had reported that Democrats were specifically looking for another Dan Sullivan to take away votes from the current senator. Democratic candidate Mary Peltola denies initiating or even knowing about it.

The possible attempt to deceive voters is also explosive because incumbent Sullivan and challenger Peltola are almost tied in polls. The outcome of the election in Alaska could also determine the future majority in the US Senate. So there is a lot at stake in the far north of the USA.

On the ballot there is information behind Daniel S. Sullivan that he is the incumbent and a Republican. There are no additional comments for former elementary school teacher Daniel J. Sullivan.

One Dan Sullivan follows another on the ballot.

The Justice Department in Washington is currently trying to get ballots for political newcomer Dan J. Sullivan to be kept separately. The aim is to be able to investigate - if necessary - whether voters were confused when casting their votes because of the same name.

The department also filed a lawsuit to block the certification of Alaska's election results if the Republican incumbent loses because of a similar candidate.

There is controversy in the USA as to whether the country under Trump is still a democracy. more

Trump critics suspect that, regardless of the possible attempt at deception in Alaska, the government is trying to sow doubts about the legitimacy of the election. The government sued around 30 states for the release of voter lists. In California, the Justice Department tried to stop the counting of ballots cast by suspected non-citizens, but failed in court.

This topic in the program: The First | daily topics | Oct 30, 2026 | 9:45 p.m.,