Alaska Governor Launches Probe Into Senate Race
Governor Mike Dunleavy ordered an investigation after reports linked the Peltola campaign to a spoiler candidate sharing the incumbent's name.
By Olivia Miller ·
A dispute over ballot integrity has escalated in Alaska as state officials move to scrutinize the Democratic Senate campaign. Governor Mike Dunleavy ordered an investigation into the team running for Mary Peltola following revelations that her campaign recruited a candidate with the same name as Republican incumbent Dan Sullivan.
The order, shared on social media overnight, followed a call by President Donald Trump for criminal prosecution of Peltola and her staff. Trump previously directed the Department of Justice to sue to block the certification of the race, arguing that Alaska should not certify a Peltola victory if Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. remains on the ballot.
Dunleavy cited reporting from The New York Times, which detailed an organized effort to manipulate the election. The governor stated that the reporting revealed a deliberate attempt to confuse voters by recruiting candidates with names matching those of incumbents. He argued that tricking voters strikes at the integrity of the election and supports earlier findings by the state elections board.
Peltola, a former congresswoman, dismissed the issue at a campaign stop in Soldotna. She described the coverage as a distraction from substantive issues, including Sen. Sullivan's support for the war in Iran. In a video posted online, Peltola said the story was designed to sell newspapers and get subscriptions. Her campaign did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the new probe.
The controversy centers on Daniel J. Sullivan Jr., a retired schoolteacher from Petersburg. A state elections official previously ruled him ineligible for the primary ballot, concluding his candidacy was filed to compromise the ballot's fairness. The Alaska Supreme Court reversed that decision, ruling he was qualified to run. Sullivan has maintained he had no contact with Peltola's team, describing their connection as zero.
Voters will see Dan S. Sullivan identified as a registered Republican and incumbent on the ballot. Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. will appear without a party affiliation. The New York Times reported that texts and documents prepared for a potential lawsuit showed Peltola's team aimed to split support for the GOP senator. Trump told reporters on Wednesday that he believes the candidates should be prosecuted, adding that Peltola should suffer legal and political consequences.
The race is considered one of the few Senate contests likely to determine control of the chamber. The state elections board is now tasked with investigating the recruitment process. The probe comes as both campaigns prepare for the final weeks of the election cycle.
