Dan Sullivan vs Dan Sullivan: Alaska consultant who backed Dem Mary Peltola linked to second 'Dan Sullivan' campaign launch

A Democrat political operative who has backed Senate candidate former Rep. Mary Peltola (D) in Alaska has been linked to the launching of a candidate “clone” that has the same name as the Republican nominee in the race for US Senate.

According to Fox News, online campaign metadata materials have revealed that Amber Lee, who is a progressive consultant, penned a press release for a candidate named “Dan Sullivan” to run in Alaska. Lee is reported to have backed Peltola by the New York Times.

Lee’s consulting firm, Amber Strategies, also has a number of progressive clients. The actual incumbent Republican Senator in the race is also named Dan Sullivan.

"Mary Peltola and Chuck Schumer know they can’t beat Senator Sullivan on his record, so they’re resorting to deceitful political maneuvers that attempt to trick Alaskans and buy a seat," National Republican Senate Committee Spokesperson Nick Puglia said of the issue.

The campaign website for the recently launched “Sullivan” campaign leans into the confusion between the names. “We need a Sullivan who stands up for Alaska,” the topline reads.

The page claims that the Republican incumbent “knows that for too long, our leaders have failed to put Alaska first. And he believes that when you truly care about a people and a place, you have a duty to make every sacrifice within your power to protect them.”

The page then goes on about how the second Sullivan grew up in Alaska and has a “lifelong connection to rugged places and outdoor living.”

The Instagram page for the campaign has no posts and only has five followers. Both Sullivans will now appear in Alaska’s open primary system. Under Alaska’s election laws, only the top four candidates advance to the general election. If the second “Dan Sullivan” is on the ballot, it may confuse those wanting to vote in the general.

Because Alaska also uses ranked choice voting, the model lends itself to increasing the influence of candidates who may not be the voter’s first choice.

Peltola was only recently elected to Congress in Alaska in 2022 and then unseated in 2024. The state has usually voted for the GOP in her district. The primary for the Senate election takes place on August 18.