Report Says Peltola Campaign Sought Namesake to Split Sullivan's Vote in Alaska
Seven Lights
The New York Times reported Wednesday that the campaign of Democratic Senate candidate Mary Peltola of Alaska worked to find other people named Dan Sullivan and encourage them to run, in an effort to split the vote of the Republican incumbent she is trying to unseat. The report, based on interviews with Ms. Peltola’s former campaign manager and other sources, together with documents and text messages, said the effort produced a second Dan Sullivan who qualified for the ballot.
Alaska election authorities tried to disqualify the second Mr. Sullivan before August’s non-partisan primary, but the state Supreme Court ruled he could appear on the ballot. He finished among the top four vote-getters and advanced to the general election, where the senator’s name will appear twice. Alaska’s top-four primary and ranked-choice general election make such dynamics consequential.
Elisa Rios, whom Ms. Peltola fired as campaign manager in August, told the Times about the recruitment effort; the paper reported she later tried to retract her interview. Nate Adams, a spokesman for Senator Sullivan’s campaign, said: “Not one player in this operation has acted in good faith with Alaska voters. Mary Peltola and her campaign have spent months gaslighting Alaskans, denying a scheme they were running all along.”
A spokeswoman for the Alaskans for Mary campaign denied any part in it: “The Alaskans for Mary campaign has no involvement with either Sullivan campaign. Like Mary, our campaign is focused on lowering costs and fixing the rigged system in DC.”
President Trump shared a link to the Times report on Truth Social, calling it proof of “election fraud,” and said Ms. Peltola “should not be allowed to run” after “perpetrating such a terrible scheme.” He acknowledged last week that he had ordered the Justice Department to file suit to block certification of the results if Mr. Sullivan loses.
The Alaska race is among the handful Democrats need to win to take the Senate, where Republicans hold 53 seats to 47. Recent polls have shown Ms. Peltola, a former member of the House, in the lead. The election is held November 3.