Trump condemns alleged Democratic recruitment of candidate in Alaska Senate race
President Donald Trump accused Democratic operatives of recruiting a namesake candidate to confuse voters in Alaska’s 2026 Senate contest, while the Department of Justice sues over the candidacy.
A New York Times investigation alleges that Democratic operatives helped recruit a candidate named Daniel J. Sullivan to run alongside incumbent Republican Senator Dan Sullivan in Alaska’s 2026 Senate race, a move Republicans say is intended to confuse voters. The report, based on interviews, text messages and documents, says the effort began in 2025 and involved aides from the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, which has denied any involvement.
Alaska’s ranked-choice system advances the top four candidates from the primary to the general election. In addition to Senator Sullivan and Democratic challenger former Representative Mary Peltola, the ballot includes Republican Gerald Heikes and Daniel J. Sullivan. Republicans have sought to remove the latter from the ballot, arguing his candidacy is a spoiler.
The Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against Alaska election officials, claiming Daniel J. Sullivan’s candidacy is designed to benefit the Peltola campaign by siphoning votes from the incumbent. The suit seeks to block certification of the election results if the incumbent does not win and to investigate voter intent.
"The DSCC is not involved with Dan J. Sullivan," a Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee spokesperson told Newsweek.
"Alaskans deserve the truth," Nate Adams, spokesperson for Senator Sullivan, said, accusing the Peltola campaign of attempting to deceive voters.
President Trump responded on Truth Social, asserting that Democrats are trying to defraud the election and calling for legal consequences for Peltola. He reiterated the claim at a rally in Ohio, urging that the candidate be removed from the ballot.
Alaska election officials said the ballot design distinguishes the two Sullivans by including middle initials and party affiliation. The state’s election board argued that the federal government lacks authority to dictate state ballot qualifications.
Polls show a tight race, with recent aggregates giving Peltola a narrow lead of 1–2 points over Senator Sullivan in the final ranked-choice round.