Brief
Super PAC funding “Decoy Dan” Sullivan with progressive donor cash revealed
New filings expose that a super PAC backing an Alaska Senate candidate named Dan J. Sullivan received nearly $1 million from the left‑wing Sixteen Thirty Fund and $1.8 million from a dark‑money group.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Financial disclosures released on Wednesday show that the Right for Alaska super PAC, which supports a candidate named Dan J. Sullivan in Alaska’s 2026 Senate race, received roughly $990,000 from the progressive Sixteen Thirty Fund and $1.8 million from the Liberty Force Action Fund, a dark‑money 501(c)(4). The PAC has spent close to $1.15 million on the candidate, who shares a name with incumbent Republican Sen. Dan S. Sullivan and is listed on the ballot as a Republican despite voting against Donald Trump in three presidential elections.
What happened
The filings indicate that Right for Alaska, based in Hudson, Wisconsin, funneled the progressive money into campaign activities for Dan J. Sullivan, a retired teacher dubbed “Decoy Dan.” Both the Sixteen Thirty Fund and the Liberty Force Action Fund list Thomas Datwyler as treasurer, a figure previously linked to former Rep. George Santos. Datwyler did not respond to comment requests.
What the reports add
The New York Post article notes that the Liberty Force Action Fund is a dark‑money organization that is not required to disclose its donors, while the Sixteen Thirty Fund is identified as a left‑wing donor network. It also cites earlier court actions: Alaska’s top election official removed Dan J. Sullivan from the primary ballot in June, but the state Supreme Court reinstated him, saying state law does not require candidates to run in good faith.
What was said
The piece reports that conservative groups have urged the Justice Department to investigate Datwyler, accusing him of “running roughshod over federal campaign finance” law. No response was obtained from Datwyler.
How it came about
Republicans have long alleged that “Decoy Dan” is a spoiler planted by Democrats to confuse voters in a race expected to be close between incumbent Sen. Dan S. Sullivan and former Rep. Mary Peltola. The new disclosures provide financial evidence supporting that claim.
Key facts
- Right for Alaska super PAC spent close to $1.15 million supporting Dan J. Sullivan (nypost.com)
- The PAC received about $990,000 from the Sixteen Thirty Fund (nypost.com)
- Liberty Force Action Fund contributed $1.8 million to the PAC (nypost.com)
- Thomas Datwyler is listed as treasurer for both donor groups (nypost.com)
Sources
- [1] nypost.com — originally reported as “Super PAC propping up ‘Decoy Dan’ Sullivan in Alaska exposed for getting Dem donor cash”
