DSCC News & Analysis

Alaska Senate Race Sees Recruitment of Second Dan Sullivan Candidate

In the Alaska Senate race, Democratic Senate nominee Mary Peltola's campaign aides and senior Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee officials helped recruit a second candidate named Daniel J. Sullivan. This recruitment aimed to draw votes away from incumbent Republican Senator Dan S. Sullivan. The New York Times reported this based on interviews, texts, and documents linked to a potential lawsuit. The Times noted the recruitment effort included attempts to bring other spoiler candidates into the race to dilute support for the incumbent and benefit the Democrat, Mary Peltola. Peltola's former campaign manager Elisa Rios said Peltola was aware but not directly involved. Both Peltola's campaign and the DSCC denied participation in recruiting spoiler candidates. The Department of Justice filed a lawsuit alleging that Daniel J. Sullivan's campaign was intended to confuse voters to the advantage of the Democratic candidate. The DOJ requested to block certification of any election results potentially affected by this confusion. President Donald Trump claimed he ordered the DOJ lawsuit and called for the removal of both Peltola and Daniel J. Sullivan from the ballot. This dispute matters because the race outcome could decide control of the U.S. Senate majority. The article underlines the use of spoiler candidates in Alaska's politics, which both parties have used before, and highlights legal and electoral challenges arising from possible voter confusion.