Super PAC Tied to Alaska's 'Decoy Dan' Sullivan Took $990,000 From Sixteen Thirty Fund, FEC Records Show

A super PAC that spent heavily in Alaska's U.S. Senate race took $990,000 from the left-leaning Sixteen Thirty Fund, according to Federal Election Commission records, as the New York Post first reported.

The group, Right for Alaska, has been tied to Dan J. Sullivan, a retired teacher nicknamed "Decoy Dan" who shares a first and last name with Republican Sen. Dan S. Sullivan and is listed on the ballot as a Republican. The Post reported that Right for Alaska "has spent close to $1.15 million to support 'Decoy Dan.'"

What the Right for Alaska FEC Filings Show

FEC itemized receipts list two contributions from the Sixteen Thirty Fund to Right for Alaska: $675,000 on Aug. 13, 2026, and $315,000 on Aug. 14, 2026, for a total of $990,000.

The same records list four contributions from the Liberty Force Action Fund, a 501(c)(4) group that does not have to disclose its donors, totaling $1,285,000 between July 30 and Aug. 13, and a $100,000 contribution from an individual donor on March 30, 2026.

In all, Right for Alaska reported $2,375,017 in receipts and the same amount in spending for 2026, including $2,353,093.04 in independent expenditures, according to FEC summary data. The committee, registered as a super PAC with a mailing address in Hudson, Wisconsin, filed a termination report on Sept. 23 and an amended version on Oct. 6, and reported no cash left on hand.

How the Spending Is Listed

The group's independent expenditures, made between July 30 and Aug. 17 for print ads, digital ads, texting, radio and live phone calls, are itemized in three groups in the FEC data: $1,149,171.53 listed under the name "Sullivan, Dan," coded as opposing that candidate and attached to the FEC candidate ID of incumbent Sen. Dan S. Sullivan; $700,145.12 listed as supporting Republican Jerry Heikes; and $503,776.39 listed as supporting Earl Southworth.

The Post described the roughly $1.15 million as support for "Decoy Dan." The FEC data do not show the content of the ads.

Who Runs the PAC

Both Right for Alaska and the Liberty Force Action Fund list Thomas Datwyler as treasurer, the Post reported. FEC records list Datwyler as Right for Alaska's treasurer. The Post described Datwyler as "previously linked to lying former Long Island Rep. George Santos (R-NY)" and said he "did not immediately respond to requests for comment."

According to the Post, "Republicans have long accused 'Decoy Dan' of being a spoiler planted and boosted by Democrats to confuse voters," claims that underpin FEC complaints and litigation.

The Race

Both Dan Sullivans will appear on the Nov. 3 general election ballot after finishing in the top four of Alaska's nonpartisan August primary, according to the Post. Dan J. Sullivan was removed from the primary ballot in June by Alaska's top election official, who found that a "preponderance of the evidence" showed his name and party affiliation were chosen to potentially confuse voters, the Post reported. Days later, the Alaska Supreme Court ordered him back on the ballot.

Sen. Sullivan faces former Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola in what the Post called a close race. Peltola led 49.5% to 47.0% in the latest RealClearPolitics polling average, the Post reported.

Sources: New York Post, "Super PAC propping up 'Decoy Dan' Sullivan in Alaska exposed for getting Dem donor cash," Oct. 19, 2026: https://nypost.com/2026/10/19/us-news/super-pac-propping-up-decoy-dan-sullivan-in-alaska-exposed-for-getting-dem-donor-cash/; Federal Election Commission, Right for Alaska (C00944611) committee filings and itemized receipts and independent expenditures: https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00944611/ (amended termination report, Oct. 6, 2026: https://docquery.fec.gov/pdf/807/202610069908541807/202610069908541807.pdf)