The campaign of Mary Peltola has been accused of employing questionable tactics to boost her chances in the upcoming Senate election. A New York Times investigation suggests that her team actively sought to create competition for Republican Senator Dan Sullivan.
Peltola enters the election as the lone Democrat in a four-candidate race, facing off against incumbent Dan S. Sullivan, retired educator Dan J. Sullivan, and long-shot contender Gerald Heikes.
The investigation claims that both the second Sullivan and Heikes were part of a strategy designed to draw votes away from the incumbent, thereby enhancing Peltola’s prospects in a pivotal Senate contest.
The Justice Department is now involved, as President Donald Trump has prompted legal action to block certification of the results. This occurs if votes for the second Sullivan hinder Dan Sullivan’s reelection.
Peltola’s campaign, along with the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, has denied any involvement in supposedly recruiting these spoiler candidates. However, former campaign manager Elisa Rios has contradicted these denials.
“Alaskan voters need to know,” Rios stated, emphasizing the need for transparency. Though she clarified that Peltola was not directly involved, she did indicate that the candidate was aware of these maneuvers.
Evidence for these claims stems from interviews, text messages, and documents that hint at possible legal ramifications for the campaign.
The effort reportedly included collaboration between campaign consultants, leading to clandestine trips across Alaska to discover potential candidates. The operation was internally dubbed the ballot composition project.
Notably, campaign aides even began searching for Alaska residents named Dan Sullivan in the summer of 2025, intensifying their recruitment efforts.
Dan J. Sullivan, a retired teacher from a remote fishing village, eventually entered the race, allegedly with the campaign’s encouragement despite official disavowals.
The intertwining of names could confuse voters, potentially costing Republican votes and impacting the overall outcome.
This exposes a controversial aspect of Alaska’s political landscape, where both parties have utilized similar tactics. The new allegations place a spotlight on the Democratic strategy in this critical Senate race.
Polls indicate that Peltola has a strong chance of winning, setting the stage for a tightly contested election among her, Heikes, and the two candidates named Dan Sullivan.
