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Politics · October 28, 2026

Peltola denies NYT report her campaign recruited other Sullivan

27 sources →

Recent reports have surfaced alleging that the campaign of Democratic Senate candidate Mary Peltola and national Democratic operatives were involved in recruiting a Republican candidate, Daniel J. Sullivan Jr., to run against incumbent Republican Sen. Dan S. Sullivan. The New York Times, citing multiple sources and internal communications, described a 'ballot composition project' intended to siphon votes from the incumbent by introducing a candidate with a similar name. While the Peltola campaign and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) have officially denied involvement, a former campaign manager reportedly confirmed awareness of the effort. The Department of Justice is currently investigating the candidacy, and President Trump has called for Peltola's withdrawal and prosecution, characterizing the move as election interference.

Read the original coverage

Reported across the spectrum

  • A New York Times report alleges the Mary Peltola campaign and Democratic operatives recruited a second Dan Sullivan to run in the Alaska Senate race.
  • The second candidate is Daniel J. Sullivan Jr., a Republican.
  • The incumbent is Republican Sen. Dan S. Sullivan.
  • The Peltola campaign has officially denied involvement in the recruitment of the second Sullivan.
  • President Trump responded to the report by calling for Peltola to drop out of the race.
  • The Department of Justice is looking into the candidacy of the second Dan Sullivan.

Reported by only some outlets

  • The New York Times report is based on 12 sources, text messages, and internal documents.
  • Former Peltola campaign manager Elisa Rios stated the candidate was aware of the recruitment effort but not personally involved.
  • The effort was internally referred to as the 'ballot composition project.'
  • Operatives reportedly sought other potential spoiler candidates beyond the second Sullivan.
  • Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. qualified for the ballot by finishing in the top four during the August primary.

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