Alaska Senate Race Scrutinized Over Candidate with Same Name as Incumbent

A New York Times investigation says Mary Peltola's campaign and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) sought a second candidate named Dan Sullivan to appear on the Alaska Senate ballot in the upcoming midterm election. The effort allegedly involved identifying Alaskans with the same name and encouraging them to run, according to interviews with Peltola's former campaign manager and related documents.

Elisa Rios, who was dismissed from Peltola's campaign in August, told the Times that voters need to be aware of the recruitment, and later attempted to withdraw her interview.

Nate Adams, a spokesperson for incumbent Senator Dan Sullivan, said, "Alaskans deserve the truth" and added that the operation was not conducted in good faith.

President Donald Trump shared the Times article on his social platform, describing it as evidence of election misconduct and stating that Peltola should not be allowed to run.

A spokesperson for Peltola's campaign denied any involvement, saying the "Alaskans for Mary" effort is focused on policy issues and not on the other Sullivan candidacy.

State officials had tried to disqualify the second Dan Sullivan before the August primary, but the Alaska Supreme Court allowed him to remain on the ballot. In the general election, the incumbent will appear as "Sullivan, Dan S. (Registered Republican) Incumbent" while the challenger will be listed as "Sullivan, Daniel J. Jr."

The DSCC reiterated that it is not connected to the challenger and warned that Republicans have historically recruited candidates to influence races in various states.

The Times report also notes that the DSCC introduced Peltola's team to a political operative from Ohio who specializes in recruiting spoiler candidates, a practice that is generally legal. The operative ultimately secured the second Dan Sullivan's candidacy after other potential recruits declined.

Other strategic discussions, such as forming a right-wing party to field a candidate, did not materialize. A separate Republican, Gerald Heikes, entered the race after a second Democrat withdrew, stating he was recruited by an out-of-state individual.