Potential Alaska Senate candidate quits current job

Former DNR Commissioner Dan Sullivan (R) hints in his resignation letter sent to Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell (R) that he has an eye on public office.

{mosads}”It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve Alaskans as their Attorney General and Commissioner of the  Department of Natural Resources over the past four years. I want to thank you, as well as former Governor Palin, and the Alaska State Legislature for this opportunity,” he writes. “As I explore new opportunities and challenges in the next phase of my life, I intend to seek ways to continue to serve my fellow Alaskans.”

Sullivan’s likely candidacy will pit him against Alaska Lieutenant Gov. Mead Treadwell (R) and Tea Party candidate and 2010 GOP nominee Joe Miller (R).

His addition into the race could cause problems for the GOP. While either Sullivan or Treadwell would likely give Sen. Mark Begich (D-Alaska) a tough campaign, Miller is highly unpopular with voters statewide and he and Treadwell risk splitting the establishment vote and giving Miller a better shot at winning the primary.

A late-July poll showed Treadwell leading the field, but Sullivan and Miller weren’t behind by much.

Parnell praised Sullivan in a response letter.

“Dan has been an
instrumental part of my administration and his leadership will be
missed. I wish him much success in the future,” he says.