A New York Times investigation details how aides to Democratic Senate nominee Mary Peltola worked with DSCC staff to recruit a namesake candidate, Dan J. Sullivan, onto Alaska's ranked-choice ballot in a bid to siphon votes from incumbent Republican Sen. Dan S. Sullivan.
Aides to Democratic Senate nominee Mary Peltola worked with staff from the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and campaign lawyers to recruit a second candidate named Dan Sullivan onto Alaska's ballot, according to a New York Times investigation published Wednesday.
The effort, internally called the ballot composition project, began in summer 2025 when a Peltola staffer was directed to search voter records for people sharing the name of incumbent Republican Sen. Dan S. Sullivan. It led to Dan J. Sullivan, a retired teacher from Petersburg, entering the race.
Former campaign manager Elisa Rios told the Times that Peltola was aware of the project but not directly involved. The campaign and DSCC have denied involvement. The report cites interviews, text messages, and documents prepared for a potential lawsuit.
The Times investigation, based on those materials and interviews with Rios and others, confirms the recruitment steps and the awareness claim. Reuters and the Anchorage Daily News reported the same core findings from the Times account. Campaign spokespeople issued denials, and the precise extent of Peltola's knowledge remains as stated by her former aide.
The development adds a new layer to the closely watched Alaska Senate race, already the subject of a Justice Department lawsuit seeking to block certification if voter confusion from the two Sullivans affects the outcome. With midterms set for November 3, the report may shape final voter perceptions and any post-election challenges.
People Sentiments Public Mood: Neutral
- Rios: Peltola was definitely aware
- Campaign: no involvement with either Sullivan
- DSCC: denies involvement