By Basant El-Faramawy
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy announced Thursday he is directing the state Department of Public Safety to investigate Democrat Mary Peltola's U.S. Senate campaign following a New York Times report alleging the campaign worked with allies to recruit a candidate sharing the name of incumbent Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan in an effort to dilute his votes.
Investigation Launched
Dunleavy, a Republican, said the department would determine "whether this scheme violated Alaska's laws and whether criminal charges or civil action are warranted." He referred to the Times report as "disturbing new evidence" and said anyone found to have broken the law must be held accountable.
Times Report Details Allegations
The Times report, citing interviews with 12 people and dozens of text messages, detailed alleged efforts by the Peltola campaign and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee to recruit a second Dan Sullivan. The information came partly from Elisa Rios, Peltola's former campaign manager, who was fired in August and later contacted the Times. The outlet said Rios retracted all statements about the 2026 Alaska Senate race and had planned a wrongful termination lawsuit but has not filed one.
Political Reactions
President Donald Trump cast doubt on whether Republicans would seat Peltola if she wins, saying it was "hard to believe that she could even be allowed to run" and calling for her and the challenger Sullivan to be "removed from the ballot and prosecuted." Vice President JD Vance said authorities "should certainly look into whether she committed election fraud." House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer, R-Ky., requested transcribed interviews with Rios and Democratic operative Jerid Kurtz, who was reportedly involved in recruiting the second Sullivan.
Campaign and DSCC Responses
A DSCC spokesperson said the committee is "not involved with Dan J. Sullivan" and accused Republicans of "a long history of recruiting and propping up candidates." A Peltola campaign spokesperson said the campaign "has no involvement with either Sullivan campaign" and pointed to instances of Republicans allegedly propping up spoiler candidates.
Legal Context
NBC News previously reported the second Sullivan's candidacy was under investigation by state and federal prosecutors, with a grand jury issuing subpoenas in August. The Justice Department filed a lawsuit last week seeking to block certification of the election if the incumbent Sullivan loses. Election analyst Stephen Richer noted those involved in recruitment could be legally in the clear if there was no inducement and the candidate ran voluntarily.
Republican Condemnation
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., called the reported effort "unprecedented" and a "concerted effort to manipulate and to deceive the voters of Alaska," adding that voters would see through it.
