Mary Peltola Denies Knowledge of Ballot Rival Daniel J. Sullivan

Democratic Alaska Senate candidate Mary Peltola told supporters Thursday she is not interested in tricking voters, following two days of intense national scrutiny over how a candidate sharing her Republican opponent’s exact name secured a spot on the ballot. The state’s toss-up Senate contest drew nationwide scrutiny after The New York Times reported Wednesday that operatives linked to Peltola’s campaign helped recruit Daniel J. Sullivan, who shares the first and last name of GOP Sen. Dan Sullivan.

Federal Subpoenas and DOJ Lawsuit Mount

The ballot controversy has escalated far beyond a local campaign dispute. Alongside sending out subpoenas for a separate criminal investigation, the Justice Department has filed a lawsuit aimed at potentially preventing the election from being certified if voter confusion causes the senator to lose. Speaking at a rally in the state capital of Juneau on Thursday, Peltola delivered some of her fullest public remarks on the matter, flatly denying any connection to Daniel J. Sullivan.

Campaign Rejects Voter Trickery Allegations

“I just want to clear the air. I knew nothing about any other candidates on the ballot except for me and the incumbent. That is all I have ever known about. I am not interested in tricking voters. I know I can beat Dan Sullivan,” Peltola told her supporters.

Peltola decried the “smears and attacks” she said she has faced, describing the ordeal as dodging bullets left and right amidst what she termed nonsense. She also questioned the media coverage of the race, asking when The New York Times became the National Enquirer. Despite the unfolding legal battles, Peltola vowed to stay focused on affordability, affordability, affordability.

Legal Challenges Over Shared Name Intensify

The presence of Daniel J. Sullivan, a retired teacher, on Alaska’s ballot has frustrated Republicans for months. Sen. Dan Sullivan has called him a “sham candidate” intended to confuse voters and siphon votes away from the incumbent. While state courts allowed the other Sullivan to remain on the ballot after he insisted he is genuinely interested in running, the Justice Department filed a lawsuit last week asking a federal court to intervene.

The political fallout intensified following the Times report, which cited a former Peltola campaign manager and reviewed text messages detailing alleged recruitment efforts. Both the Peltola campaign and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee have denied any hand in recruiting Daniel J. Sullivan. Meanwhile, President Trump reacted furiously to the reports, asserting that Democrats cheated and calling for both Peltola and Daniel J. Sullivan to be removed from the ballot and prosecuted.

State Probe Threatens Election Certification

In addition to the federal investigations, Alaska’s Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy ordered a separate probe to determine whether the scheme violated Alaska’s laws and whether criminal charges or civil action are warranted. Gov. Dunleavy later indicated that the investigation could impact whether the winner of next week’s Senate race is certified.

Responding to the governor’s announcement, a representative for Peltola’s campaign declared that Dunleavy’s threat to override Alaskan voters’ decisions highlights the very aspects of partisan politics Alaskans despise, while also demonstrating why he holds the title of the country’s least popular governor. The campaign made it clear that Mary will not back down in the face of intimidation from Sullivan, Dunleavy, or any of their Washington allies attempting to snatch this election away from Alaskans ahead of the vote count.