Peltola Denies Role in Daniel J. Sullivan Ballot Bid as Alaska Probes Proceed

Alaska Senate candidate Mary Peltola told supporters Thursday she had no part in placing Daniel J. Sullivan on the state's ballot, addressing allegations that operatives linked to her campaign helped recruit the retired teacher who shares a name with Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan. Peltola, a Democrat who previously represented Alaska in the House, spoke at a rally in Juneau after The New York Times reported on the matter.

"I just want to clear the air. I knew nothing about any other candidates on the ballot except for me and the incumbent," Peltola told the gathering. "I am not interested in tricking voters. I know I can beat Dan Sullivan." She said she faced "smears and attacks" and declined to shift her focus: "stay focused on affordability, affordability, affordability."

The Times reported Thursday that Democratic operatives worked to place candidates with similar names to Republican incumbents on Alaska ballots, citing a former Peltola campaign manager and text messages reviewed by the newspaper. Spokespeople for Peltola's campaign and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee both denied recruiting Daniel J. Sullivan. Sen. Sullivan has called his namesake a "sham candidate" designed to draw votes away from the incumbent; the elder Sullivan has said he is genuinely interested in running.

Alaska state courts allowed Daniel J. Sullivan to remain on the ballot. The Justice Department filed suit last week asking a federal court to intervene, and has issued subpoenas in a separate criminal probe. President Trump said both Sullivans should be removed from the ballot and prosecuted, adding, "The Democrats cheated!"

Gov. Mike Dunleavy, a Republican, ordered a state investigation into "whether this scheme violated Alaska's laws and whether criminal charges or civil action are warranted." Dunleavy later said in an interview that the probe could affect whether a winner is certified in next week's Senate race. A Peltola campaign spokesperson responded that the governor's remarks exemplified partisan politics and that "Mary won't be intimidated by Dunleavy, Sullivan, or any of their DC allies who are trying to steal this election from Alaskans before votes are counted."