Republican Sen. Dan S. Sullivan of Alaska expects the other Dan Sullivan on his ballot to pull a real chunk of support away from him. He also says the second man's candidacy is part of a Democratic plot.

The senator made the prediction during a Sunday morning TV interview with Jake Tapper. "I'm sure I'm going to lose a lot of votes to that trickery," he said.

Where the claim comes from

According to reports, political operatives linked to Mary Peltola, the Democrat trying to unseat Sullivan, allegedly recruited a second man with the same name to run. The goal, the reports claim, was to siphon off votes meant for the Republican. That second candidate is Daniel J. Sullivan.

'That's not my style'

Tapper pressed the senator on similar tactics Republicans have been accused of using in past races. Sullivan said he would never go down that road.

"I don't do it. I haven't done it. You know me, Jake, that's not my style. That's not what I would do. And the reason I wouldn't do it is because I respect the people I represent," he said.

Peltola's camp denies any role

Peltola's team has already said it had nothing to do with getting the second Sullivan into the race.

The matter is now the subject of two separate probes. State officials have opened an investigation while federal authorities have launched a criminal investigation of their own.