By — Nicholas Riccardi, Associated Press Nicholas Riccardi, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/sullivan-claims-peltola-is-still-lying-about-campaigns-involvement-in-alaska-ballot-controversy Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Sullivan claims Peltola is 'still lying' about campaign's involvement in Alaska ballot controversy Politics Nov 1, 2026 11:40 AM EST WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan said Sunday that he doubted claims by his Democratic opponent that she had no idea her top political aides were involved in recruiting a retired schoolteacher also named Dan Sullivan onto the ballot to confuse voters in a race that could determine which party controls the Senate. READ MORE: Attorneys for Alaska say 'meritless' Trump demand to set aside Senate ballots 'not even possible' Republicans have long suspected that Mary Peltola, a former congresswoman, and her campaign were behind the presence of the second Sullivan on the ballot. They say their suspicions were confirmed by a New York Times report last week that was based on interviews with Peltola's ex-campaign manager, text messages and campaign finance documents showing that an operative trying to recruit…
Sullivan claims Peltola is 'still lying' about campaign's involvement in Alaska ballot controversy
In short
The scrutiny follows reports that a group supporting Mary Peltola paid an operative tasked with recruiting decoy contenders to siphon votes from the incumbent. While Peltola, her campaign, and national Democratic committees denied any coordination, federal agents have issued subpoenas in Alaska amid calls for her prosecution. Alaska's governor has launched an official inquiry, hinting at a potential refusal to certify a Democratic win, while prominent Democrats have labeled the tactic poor politics rather than illegal conduct.
Key points
- Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan fears the presence of a same-name candidate could mislead vo…: Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan fears the presence of a same-name candidate could mislead voters and alter the outcome of the Senate race.
- Alaska's Republican governor has opened an investigation and raised the possibility of re…: Alaska's Republican governor has opened an investigation and raised the possibility of refusing to certify the election if Mary Peltola prevails.
- Democratic figures Jamie Raskin and Bernie Sanders condemned recruiting decoy candidates…: Democratic figures Jamie Raskin and Bernie Sanders condemned recruiting decoy candidates as poor political strategy, though they maintained it does not constitute a crime.