An Alaska Superior Court judge ruled on Friday that a retired teacher who shares the same name as incumbent Republican U.
S. Senator Dan Sullivan is eligible to run against him in the upcoming August primary election.
>>> Trump Claims 45,000 Attended Great American State Fair Rally
Superior Court Judge Thomas Matthews overturned an earlier decision by Division of Elections Director Carol Beecher, who had disqualified the challenger from the ballot.
Court Cites Lack of Legal Basis for Disqualification
Judge Matthews stated that the disqualification lacked backing from state regulations, the Alaska Constitution, or federal law.
"Instead, the decision was based upon a new, previously unstated, 'good faith' criteria," wrote Judge Matthews in the court ruling.
>>> Extreme Heat Forces Cancellation of Defqon1 Festival in Netherlands
The state has until Tuesday to secure a final ruling before primary ballots must be printed.
State attorneys did not immediately issue a public response to the ruling on Friday.
>>> Severe Weather Forces Cancellation of Vanilla Ice Concert at National Mall
Defense attorney Jeffrey Robertson indicated that the legal process regarding the primary ballot qualification is expected to continue moving through the court system.
