Alaska Republican's sunny reelection prospects dimmed by tough odds

Sen. Dan Sullivan, the Alaska Republican running for reelection, has entered the reliably red state's nonpartisan primary election with unexpectedly challenging odds. He began his campaign for a third term early into the Trump administration, when the GOP's favorability began falling among Americans but was still seen as high enough to protect some Republicans from angry Democratic midterm voters. Sullivan, who won his last election by nearly 13 points, would face typical cyclical challenges in the midterms but could keep his seat by a comfortable margin, many political pundits thought. As the Tuesday primary unfolds, however, the incumbent faces the possibility of ceding in November to Mary Peltola, the former Democratic congresswoman, thanks to a Republican opponent sharing his name. Dan J. Sullivan , an ex-teacher, is running what GOP leaders say is a campaign to confuse voters and boost Peltola, although he denies any wrongdoing.