JUNEAU, Alaska - A top Alaska elections official has threatened to disqualify from the state's August primary a U.S. Senate candidate who shares the same name and party affiliation as incumbent Republican Dan Sullivan.

Division of Elections Director Carol Beecher in a letter to challenger Dan Sullivan said her office had received two complaints regarding his eligibility and determined "that the preponderance of evidence does not support your eligibility for the office of United States Senator." She gave him a Thursday deadline to submit "any additional information and evidence" in response.

Sullivan, the challenger, did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment about the letter from Beecher, a registered Republican who in the past has donated to Republican groups and campaigns.