IN SHORT:

Dan Sullivan is running for Senate in Alaska, but there’s been an awful lot of confusion about just what state he’s from. First there was his 1.3 million dollar Maryland principal residence, and then the fishing licenses where he claimed to be a 10-year Alaska resident, a 2-year resident and a 1-year resident in a span of 4 years. So what did Governor Sarah Palin say in 2009 when Sullivan was recommended to her for Attorney General? “I’ve never even heard of the guy.” That’s right, and Palin’s aide was unaware if Dan was even an Alaskan resident. Is Dan Sullivan an Alaskan? Even his own party can’t quite figure it out.

THE FACTS:

Gov Palin’s Administration On Sullivan

Palin Email Discussing Sullivan, Possible AG Nomination: “I’ve Never Even Heard Of The Guy.” Reported the Anchorage Daily News in October 2013, “But when Sullivan’s name first bubbled up as a candidate for attorney general in an email from her revenue commissioner, Patrick Galvin, Palin didn’t know who he was. ‘I’ve never even heard of the guy,’ Palin wrote on April 28, 2009, to aide Kris Perry.” [Anchorage Daily News, 10/14/13]

June 2009: Sarah Palin’s Spokeswoman Was Unsure if Sullivan Was a Resident of Alaska. In June 2009, The Juneau Empire reported, “Palin spokeswoman Sharon Leighow said she was unsure if Sullivan was currently an Alaska resident and referred questions about his residency to him. Sullivan was unavailable for comment Tuesday but appears to have lived in Maryland from 2002 until about the end of the Bush administration, based on property records, phone listings and job history.” [Juneau Empire, 6/17/09]

Hunting & Fishing Licenses

2009: Sullivan Received Alaska Nonresident Fishing License, Listed Length Of Alaska Residence As 1 Year In 2010, Two Years In 2011. “In 2009, [Sullivan] received an Alaska nonresident fishing license, and on fishing and hunting licenses for 2010 and 2011 listed his length of residency as one year and two years, respectively, according to public records. To qualify for a resident license, one must, according to state Fish and Game rules, be physically present in the state, maintain a home for the preceding year and not claim residency in another state. ” [AP,12/18/13]

2013: Sullivan Listed Alaska Residency As 10 Years “Because He Knew Politicians And Political Operatives Would Try To Make An Issue Of This.” “Sullivan in 2013 listed his residency as 10 years, according to a copy of the Fish and Game license provided to The Associated Press. Campaign spokesman Mike Anderson said Sullivan called Fish and Game for guidance on what to list there and followed that guidance ‘because he knew politicians and political operatives would try to make an issue of this.’” [AP, 12/18/13]

Sullivan Spokesman Said 10 Years Reflected Sullivan’s Total Number Of Years Living In Alaska.“[Sullivan spokesman] Anderson said the 10 years reflects the total numbers of years Sullivan has been present in Alaska. ” [AP, 12/18/13]

Maryland House

National Journal: Sullivan Is A “Relative Newcomer” To Alaska, Designated Maryland As His Home While Voting In Alaska. “Compared to [Treadwell and Begich], Sullivan is a relative newcomer to the state and its politics. His wife is an Alaska native, but he first moved to the state in 1997. His family designated its Maryland home as its principal residence while he worked for the Bush Administration, during which time Sullivan continued to vote absentee in Alaska but skipped some elections including major Republican primaries involving former Gov. Sarah Palin and GOP Rep. Don Young.” [National Journal, 10/15/13]

Sullivan Campaign Said He Listed Maryland Home As Principal Residence For Tax Purposes. “Sullivan listed a home in Maryland as his principal residence while working on the East Coast, and his campaign has said that was for tax purposes.” [AP, 12/18/13]

Sullivans Purchased House in Bethesda, Maryland in December 2006 for More Than $1.3 Million – Sold In May 2010. According to Montgomery County Department of Assessments and Taxation, the property located at 6212 Maiden Ln in Bethesda was purchased on December 29, 2023 for $1,362,000. The Sullivans sold the house on May 25, 2023 for $1,325,000. [Montgomery County Department of Assessments and Taxation, 6212 Maiden Ln; Deed 33556/ 00304; Montgomery County Department of Assessments and Taxation, 6212 Maiden Ln; Deed 39334/ 00288]

Taxes & Principal Residence

Sullivan and Wife Paid Taxes on Home at 6212 Maiden Lane in Bethesda MD in 2007 Tax Year. According to Montgomery County tax records, Sullivan and his wife paid property taxes on the home at 6212 Maiden Lane in Bethesda, MD for the tax period from July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2008. [Montgomery County Tax Records, Accessed 5/16/13]

• Sullivans Received $613 County Property Tax Credit on Bethesda Home as “Principal Residence” in 2007. According to Montgomery County tax records, the Sullivans received the County Property Tax Credit in the amount of $613 on their home in Bethesda, MD in the 2007 tax year. [Montgomery County Tax Records, Accessed 5/16/13]

• County Property Tax Credit “Automatically Given to All Properties Listed as Principal Residence as of July 1^st of That Tax Year.” According to the Montgomery County website, “The County Property Tax Credit also known as Income Tax Offset Credit is a credit that is automatically given to all properties that are listed as a principal residence as of July 1^st of that tax year. Although the credit is given to properties listed as principal residences the owner must have occupied the property prior to July 1^st of that tax year.” [Montgomery County, County Property Tax Credit]

Sullivan and Wife Paid Taxes on Home at 6212 Maiden Lane in Bethesda MD in 2008 Tax Year. According to Montgomery County tax records, Sullivan and his wife paid property taxes on the home at 6212 Maiden Lane in Bethesda, MD for the tax period from July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2009. [Montgomery County Tax Records, Accessed 5/16/13]

• Sullivans Received $579 County Property Tax Credit on Bethesda Home as “Principal Residence” in 2008. According to Montgomery County tax records, the Sullivans received the County Property Tax Credit in the amount of $579 on their home in Bethesda, MD in the 2008 tax year.” [Montgomery County Tax Records, Accessed 5/16/13]