By Basant El-Faramawy
Alaska Democrat Mary Peltola’s campaign reportedly worked to recruit a second candidate named Dan Sullivan to challenge incumbent Republican Senator Dan Sullivan in next week’s midterm election, according to a New York Times report published Wednesday.
NYT Report Details Recruitment Effort
The Times, citing interviews with Peltola’s former campaign manager Elisa Rios and internal documents, says Peltola officials and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) searched for Alaskans named Dan Sullivan and encouraged one to run. The recruit, Dan J. Sullivan Jr., is a retiree from southeastern Alaska with little political experience.
Republicans Condemn Vote-Splitting Ploy
Republicans have denounced the move as a deliberate ploy to split the incumbent’s vote. Senator Sullivan’s campaign spokesperson Nate Adams accused Peltola of “gaslighting Alaskans” and running a scheme to deceive voters.
Trump Labels Scheme Election Fraud
Former President Donald Trump amplified the report on Truth Social, calling it proof of “election fraud” and suggesting Peltola should be barred from running. Trump previously acknowledged ordering the Justice Department to sue to block certification if Sullivan loses.
Ballot Listings and Court Ruling
The Alaska Supreme Court ruled in August that the second Sullivan could remain on the general election ballot after election authorities tried to disqualify him. On the ballot, the senator appears as “Sullivan, Dan S. (Registered Republican) Incumbent” and the challenger as “Sullivan, Daniel J. Jr.”
Campaign and DSCC Denials
Peltola’s campaign denies any involvement with either Sullivan campaign, stating it is focused on lowering costs and fixing the system. The DSCC also said it is not involved with Dan J. Sullivan, while noting Republicans have a history of recruiting spoiler candidates in other states.
Operative Recruitment and Other Maneuvers
The Times reports Democrats began considering a spoiler candidate in summer 2025. The DSCC introduced Peltola’s team to political operative Jerid Kurtz, who specialized in such recruitment. After an initial approach to another potential candidate failed, Kurtz recruited the second Dan Sullivan. Peltola officials also discussed creating a right-wing party to field a candidate, but that plan did not materialize.
In a separate maneuver, a second Democrat who advanced through the primary was persuaded to drop out and was replaced on the ballot by perennial Republican candidate Gerald Heikes, who said he was recruited by “a guy from the midwest.”
