By — Meg Kinnard, Associated Press Meg Kinnard, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/alaskas-governor-orders-a-probe-into-peltolas-senate-campaign-over-spoiler-candidate-controversy Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Alaska's governor orders a probe into Peltola's Senate campaign over spoiler candidate controversy Politics Oct 29, 2026 10:46 AM EDT WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy has ordered an investigation into the Democratic candidate running for the U.S. Senate in the state after revelations that her campaign appeared to be involved in recruiting another candidate with the same name as Republican incumbent Dan Sullivan. READ MORE: Trump calls for prosecution of Alaska Senate candidate Peltola over Sullivan name controversy Dunleavy's order, posted overnight on social media, comes a day after President Donald Trump called for the criminal prosecution of Mary Peltola and her campaign. In a race that's among a handful of Senate contests this year expected to determine control of the chamber, the Republican president had previously directed his Department of Justice to sue to block certification of it, demanding that Alaska be prevented from certifying a win…
Alaska's governor orders a probe into Peltola's Senate campaign over spoiler candidate controversy
In short
The state probe stems from reports citing text messages and documents that suggest Mary Peltola's staff sought candidates to split conservative support. President Donald Trump has demanded criminal charges and directed the Department of Justice to block election certification if the namesake contender stays on the ballot. Meanwhile, the candidate in question, retired teacher Daniel J. Sullivan Jr., maintains he never communicated with Peltola's team.
Key points
- Mary Peltola dismissed the investigative reports as an irrelevant distraction meant to dr…: Mary Peltola dismissed the investigative reports as an irrelevant distraction meant to drive newspaper subscription sales.
- Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. has denied having any direct contact or coordination with Mary Pel…: Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. has denied having any direct contact or coordination with Mary Peltola's campaign team.
- Federal legal action has been threatened to halt election certification if the identicall…: Federal legal action has been threatened to halt election certification if the identically named contender remains listed.