Republican Sen.Dan S.
Sullivan is in the middle of an extremely competitive race as he seeks re-election this year in red-leaning Alaska in a midterm showdown that's one of roughly a dozen that will determine if the GOP keeps control of the Senate.Working against Sullivan as he runs for a third six-year term in the Senate is not only a rough political climate facing Republicans but also Alaska's unique electoral system, which includes four candidates from an open primary advancing to the general election, as well as ranked-choice voting.Alaska is the only state in the nation to have a "top four" primary system, where candidates advance regardless of party affiliation.And it's one of only two states, along with Maine, to use ranked choice voting for statewide and federal races.Defenders of the system say it gives independent voters more choices, weakens party control, and encourages candidates to appeal beyond their base.SEEING DOUBLE: THE SECOND DAN SULLIVAN ADVANCES IN ALASKA'S CRUCIAL SENATE SHOWDOWNSen.
Dan Sullivan (R-AK) speaks during a hearing with the Senate Armed Services Committee in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on April 30, 2026 in Washington, DC.(Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)Alaska GOP chair Carmela Warfield, in social media posts, has repeatedly referred to the state's electoral system as a "MESS."Veteran GOP strategist Mary Marslender told Fox News Digital, "It's hurting the Republican Party."Sullivan is battling former Democratic Rep.
Mary Peltola.The two candidates combined received over 90% of the primary vote.But also on the general election ballot is Daniel J.
Sullivan, a retired schoolteacher and registered Republican that Marslender and supporters of the senator call "Decoy Dan."A GOP-aligned group Americans for Public Trust claimed that the other Sullivan, who is not related to the senator, was working with Democrats to confuse voters.The Peltola campaign and Daniel J.
Sullivan both denied the allegation.The Alaska Division of Electi...