Report Links Democrats to Alaska Spoiler Effort

The New York Times reported Wednesday that individuals associated with Mary Peltola’s Senate campaign and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee helped recruit Daniel J. Sullivan for the Alaska race. The stated goal was to siphon votes from Republican incumbent Senator Dan S. Sullivan. The report relies on interviews, text messages, and documents compiled for a potential lawsuit against Peltola’s team.

Elisa Rios, Peltola’s former campaign manager, told the Times that Peltola was not directly managing the project but was definitely aware of it. Rios was fired in August and said Alaskan voters needed to know about the effort. Last week, Rios attempted to retract her comments, stating she was no longer willing to be a source. The Times noted it informed Rios she would be included in the piece and that her accounts matched other reporting.

Peltola’s campaign and the DSCC denied participating in the recruitment. In a statement to CNBC, the campaign said it had no involvement with either Sullivan campaign. A DSCC spokesperson said the committee was not involved with Daniel J. Sullivan. The committee pointed to Republican efforts to recruit third-party candidates, including a prisoner with a New York address who ran against Peltola. The committee also noted that nearly half a million dollars was spent to place an Arizona resident on the Alaska ballot.

The Times observed that ballot-stacking tactics are common and generally legal in Alaska. The report follows a Department of Justice lawsuit filed days earlier. The suit alleges the challenger’s campaign was designed to confuse voters. The DOJ asked a federal judge to block certification of the Senate result pending an investigation into whether votes for Daniel J. Sullivan were intended for the incumbent. President Donald Trump said he ordered the suit. After the Times report, Trump demanded on Truth Social that both Peltola and Daniel J. Sullivan be removed from the ballot.

Peltola’s campaign, the DSCC, and Alaska election officials have asked Judge Sharon Gleason to dismiss the case before the November 3 election. The League of Women Voters of Alaska and Common Cause have sought to intervene in opposition. Alaska officials argue the DOJ lacks authority to intervene in state elections. They said the Division of Elections took substantial steps to distinguish the two candidates. Gleason fast-tracked the case on Monday evening, increasing the likelihood of a ruling before the election.

Daniel J. Sullivan won a legal battle at the Alaska Supreme Court to appear on the nonpartisan primary ballot. State election officials had objected, saying he would confuse voters. He earned one of four spots on the general election ballot. He is listed as Sullivan, Daniel J. Jr. The incumbent appears below him as Sullivan, Dan. S., marked Registered Republican, incumbent. Peltola, a former U.S. House member, is the only Democrat on the ballot.

Alaska uses ranked-choice voting, allowing voters to rank both candidates. If the challenger is eliminated in the first round, a vote for him may transfer to the incumbent. The outcome could determine whether Democrats regain a Senate majority or Republicans keep theirs.