Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK) stated on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, that he will accept the results of the upcoming midterm election. During an appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Sullivan told host Jake Tapper, “I’m going to accept the election results,” in response to a question about whether he would only accept a victory. His statement follows a series of lawsuits and investigations regarding the presence of a second candidate named Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. on the Alaska ballot.
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a lawsuit seeking to block the certification of the Alaska Senate race if Sullivan loses to his opponent, former Rep. Mary Peltola. The DOJ and the House Oversight Committee are investigating allegations that Democrats recruited Daniel J. Sullivan Jr., a retired teacher, as a "spoiler" candidate to confuse voters. A New York Times report, citing Peltola’s former campaign manager Elisa Rios, alleged that the Peltola campaign was aware of the effort. Peltola and national Democrats have denied direct involvement.
Alaska state officials urged a federal judge on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026, to dismiss the DOJ lawsuit. The state argued that the two candidates are clearly distinguished on the ballot, as the incumbent is listed as a Republican and the other as "Daniel J. Sullivan Jr." U.S. District Court Judge Sharon L. Gleason had set a Saturday deadline for arguments on the dismissal. While Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy (R) has launched a state probe, the state's legal filing called the DOJ's request to separate ballots "impossible" and a violation of voter privacy.
In the August primary, the second Sullivan received 2.4% of the vote. Sen. Sullivan expressed concern that he would lose votes to what he termed "trickery," though he did not state that the recruitment was definitely illegal, saying he would "let the lawyers figure that out."
House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer (R-KY) has requested transcribed interviews with Elisa Rios on Nov. 5 and Democratic operative Jerid Kurtz on Nov. 6. The federal court has not yet ruled on the state’s motion to dismiss the DOJ lawsuit. Voters will cast their final ballots on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. State officials have requested that the court allow ballot counting and certification to proceed.