Alaska judge allows Dan Sullivan to challenge Senator Dan Sullivan in primary

A ruling by a judge has allowed Dan J. Sullivan, a former educator from Petersburg, Alaska, to be included on the Republican primary ballot, where he will contest against incumbent US Senator Dan Sullivan. Superior Court Judge Thomas Matthews reversed a decision made on June 15 by Carol Beecher, the Director of the Division of Elections, who had disqualified the challenger due to claims of lacking a "good faith" candidacy. Judge Matthews determined that the division's ruling was not aligned with the Constitution, Alaska law, or its own established regulations, instead relying on a new and previously unmentioned standard. The incumbent senator alleged that the challenger was collaborating with his Democratic rival to mislead voters. The state Supreme Court can hear an appeal, but state attorneys indicated that a final ruling is necessary by Tuesday to ensure the August 18 primary ballots can be printed.