No party affiliation · Alaska Senate · 2026
Daniel J. Sullivan Jr.
In Petersburg, Daniel Sullivan spent more than 20 years as an elementary school teacher after an earlier career with the Forest Service.
Biography
Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. grew up in the Midwest and moved to Southeast Alaska in 1980, eventually building a career that included more than two decades teaching elementary school.1 Now retired and based in Petersburg, he shares a name with the senator whose seat he is seeking; his middle name is James, while the incumbent's is Scott.1
Before teaching, Sullivan worked for the U.S. Forest Service, describing about 13 years as a forestry technician.2 His earlier jobs also included carpentry, timber cutting, concrete work and steel mill labor.2 In a June interview, he said choosing to run as a Republican honored his father, who had died the previous fall, and reflected his father's and grandfather's political backgrounds.1
His community experience includes a local public safety advisory body, youth soccer coaching, service as arts council president and volunteering as a firefighter.2 He also fishes for salmon and halibut for subsistence, and identifies housing costs as a problem affecting both younger and older residents.2
Sullivan opposes the 2025 Medicaid cuts, arguing that they would increase Alaska's administrative costs, reduce providers' revenue and harm residents' health.3 His name appears without a party affiliation in the four candidate general election, alongside Republican Senator Dan S. Sullivan, Democrat Mary Peltola and Republican Gerald Heikes.4
Record and controversies
Ballot access and federal certification lawsuit
Republicans challenged Sullivan's candidacy on the grounds that his similar name could confuse voters; he has said he is running seriously, and the Alaska Supreme Court allowed him to appear on the ballot.15 His ballot entry reads Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. without a party affiliation, while the incumbent is identified as the Republican senator.5
The Justice Department filed a civil lawsuit on October 22, 2026, seeking to block certification if the incumbent loses but would have won with every ballot cast for the other Sullivan counted in his favor.5 Alaska election officials sought dismissal, arguing the ballot distinguishes the candidates and that the suit lacks a legal basis; an October 27 report said the judge had set expedited briefing.5 Those are allegations and procedural positions in a civil election case, not a finding that the challenger committed fraud.5