Alaska Governor Orders Probe of Senate Race 'Spoiler' Claims

Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy ordered an investigation into the state's U.S. Senate race on Thursday. The review comes after a New York Times report detailed efforts by Democratic campaign operatives to recruit a third-party candidate. Republicans argue this move could confuse voters and siphon support from the incumbent. The candidate in question shares the name of the GOP senator, Dan Sullivan.

The Senate seat is currently considered a toss-up. Democrat Mary Peltola, a former congresswoman, is attempting to flip the seat from Republican control. Peltola has not yet formally endorsed the recruitment of the namesake challenger, but the claim has intensified scrutiny on the race's final stretch.

Election law experts spoke with Alaska Public Media regarding the conduct described in the report. The experts stated that no specific laws in Alaska directly prohibit the recruitment of a candidate with the same name as an incumbent. However, they noted that the situation crosses established moral and ethical lines for competitive elections.

The dispute occurs as candidates nationwide make final stops before Election Day on Tuesday. President Donald Trump has been campaigning for at-risk Republican candidates, though he has recently shifted to virtual rallies. The president is hosting 19 telerallies alongside in-person events. NPR's Saige Miller noted that this shift in strategy, combined with polling data, suggests Republicans may face challenges in the House. Trump's presence is a key motivator for his party, but it could also energize Democratic voters.

In a related development, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth dismissed Army Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia. Sylvia oversaw planning at the Pentagon and was part of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. His removal comes as the U.S. and Israel prepare for a potential new round of attacks against Iran. Although Sylvia held a senior position in strategy and policy, he was not directly involved in day-to-day operations regarding the Iran conflict.

NPR's Greg Myre reported that the Pentagon is investigating a leak but has not provided specific details. Hegseth has dismissed several other generals and admirals in recent months, often without explanation. These firings have disrupted senior military operations. The U.S. currently has two aircraft carriers in the Arabian Sea, with a third, the USS Theodore Roosevelt, en route. Myre said it is unusual for the U.S. to station multiple carriers in one region. The last time the country deployed three carriers to the Middle East was during the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

The Department of Justice subpoenaed election workers in Los Angeles amid rising tensions with California officials. The subpoenas are part of the Trump administration's efforts to identify noncitizens on voter rolls. Separately, thousands of military veterans with VA-backed mortgages have faced higher interest rates and monthly payments since last year. The Trump administration shut down the Veterans Affairs Servicing Purchase program without a viable replacement. An NPR investigation found that more than 15,000 veterans experienced monthly payment increases of at least $150 after their loans were modified.

The final stretch of the campaign will see continued activity from both parties as they deliver closing arguments. The Alaska investigation will determine if any formal rules were broken during the recruitment process. The Pentagon will continue its review of the leak related to Sylvia's dismissal. Election officials in Los Angeles must respond to the new subpoenas before Tuesday's vote.