By Karim Hammam
President Donald Trump on Wednesday demanded that Alaska alter its ballot following a New York Times report that Democrats spent months recruiting a man named Dan Sullivan to challenge the state’s Republican senator, Dan S. Sullivan.
Recruitment of namesake candidate
The Times reported that the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and the campaign of Democratic candidate Mary Peltola secretly sought a same-name challenger, eventually enlisting Dan J. Sullivan, a retired teacher from Petersburg, who now appears on the ballot as an unaffiliated candidate alongside the incumbent, Peltola, and Republican Gerald Heikes.
Trump denounces 'fraud'
On Truth Social, Trump called the effort “a fraud on the American public” and said Peltola “should suffer the legal and political consequences.” He argued that the real Senator Dan Sullivan should run without either Peltola or the “fake Dan Sullivan” on the ballot.
Denials and legal action
Peltola’s campaign and the DSCC denied involvement with Dan J. Sullivan’s bid, and Sullivan said his decision to run was his own. The Justice Department last week filed a federal lawsuit seeking to block certification of a Peltola victory if Dan J. Sullivan remains on the ballot, after the Alaska Supreme Court rejected Republican attempts to remove him.
‘Ballot composition project’ revealed
Former Peltola campaign manager Elisa Rios told the Times the operation, dubbed the “ballot composition project,” included secret trips to remote areas to find potential spoiler candidates. She said Peltola was aware of the effort but not personally involved. A pro-Peltola super PAC reportedly paid a Democratic operative $87,000, though the PAC denied hiring him.
Historical context and pending lawsuit
So-called ballot-stacking tactics are considered legal and have been used before, including in a 2004 New York House race. The federal lawsuit remains pending with Election Day less than a week away.
