Dan Sullivan runs against Dan Sullivan in the Senate election, endangering Trump's majority

In the Alaska Senate race, Republican Senator Dan S. Sullivan is facing Democrat Mary Peltola, but a third candidate with a nearly identical name, Dan J. Sullivan, with no political experience, has joined the race. Republicans fear this is an attempt to confuse voters and siphon votes from the incumbent in a tight race that could cost President Trump his Senate majority.

The Alaska Senate race has become particularly confusing: incumbent Republican Senator Dan S. Sullivan, seeking a third term, is running against Democratic candidate Mary Peltola, a former House member. However, a third candidate named Dan J. Sullivan, a 70-year-old retired teacher with no political background, who received 2.4% in the primaries, has joined the race. Republicans claim this is a Democratic 'plant' designed to confuse voters and siphon votes from the incumbent in a tight race. President Trump intervened, calling to vote for the 'real Dan Sullivan.' The Alaska Supreme Court rejected a Republican request to disqualify Dan J. Sullivan. The story took another twist when Dan A. Sullivan, former mayor of Anchorage, expressed support for the senator. Republicans currently hold 53 seats in the Senate, and Democrats need 4 more seats to gain control. Alaska has not elected a Democratic senator since 2008.