Contrary to Dahlstrom's decision, Southeast Sullivan deserves place on the ballot
If a convict doing time in New York who has never been to Alaska officially qualifies as a candidate in Alaska, then Dan Sullivan of Petersburg deserves the same treatment, regardless of his name and his reasons for running.
I suspect that Gov. Mike Dunleavy, Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom and Sen. Dan Sullivan will fail in their effort to keep the second Sullivan off the ballot.
Felons, who are not good-faith candidates, can run for office in Alaska.
The Southeast Sullivan could bring a great deal more to the U.S. Senate election than a name that matches the incumbent—a willingness to talk about things that Ohio Dan is afraid to mention, including Trump’s $1.776 billion slush fund, the Qatari jet, the billion-dollar ballroom and more.
At a minimum, he could force a broader examination of what Trump is doing to the nation and what Alaska’s senators should be doing about it. Incumbent Sullivan wants the Senate race to be entirely about now much pork and federal spending he is getting for Alaska. Incumbent Sullivan does not want to deal directly with what Trump is doing to destroy American institutions.
Dahlstrom had Carol Beecher, the head of the Division of Elections, announce that Southeast Sulllivan would be banned from the ballot after the Republican Party complained.
Carmela Warfield, the chair of the Alaska Republican Party, claims that removing Sullivan is “win for Alaska voters and the rule of law” and praised Dahlstrom and Beecher for their “thorough, impartial work.”
Warfield is wrong. The Republican Party will lose because Sullivan is a qualfied candidate.
Petersburg Dan had this to say Sunday on his birthday:
Petersburg Dan Sullivan brings more to the U.S. Senate race than a name that matches the incumbent.