Sen. Dan Sullivan's same-name challenger sues to stay on ballot | CNN Politics

Sen. Dan Sullivan’s same-name challenger sued to remain on the Alaska ballot after a top state elections official disqualified him from the August primary. The court filing, submitted Monday by attorneys representing the challenger, argues that Division of Elections Director Carol Beecher violated state and federal law by removing him. The challenger, a retired teacher from Petersburg, says he meets the Constitution’s exclusive U.S. Senate qualifications on age, citizenship, and residency, and that officials lacked legal grounds for the decision. Sullivan’s camp and the National Republican Senatorial Committee criticized the candidacy as a sham aimed at boosting Democratic former Rep. Mary Peltola, allegations denied by the challenger and Peltola’s campaign. Beecher previously cited “credible allegations” of coordinated activity, but did not state she found evidence of coordination. A spokesperson for the election division said there would be no comment.