Peltola Denies Role in Namesake Ballot Bid as Federal Probe Widens

Peltola Denies Role in Namesake Ballot Bid as Federal Probe Widens

Denial Opens Speech in Juneau Bar

Democratic Senate candidate Mary Peltola denied on Oct. 29 that she knew anything about an effort to place a candidate sharing Republican incumbent Dan Sullivan's name on Alaska's Senate ballot. Speaking at the top of an event in a downtown Juneau bar, she said she knew nothing about any candidate on the ballot except herself and the incumbent and added that she had no interest in tricking voters. Peltola is challenging incumbent Sen. Dan S. Sullivan in a race widely seen as pivotal to control of the U.S. Senate, with the general election set for Nov. 3.

Times Report Alleges Ballot-Stacking Plot

The controversy follows a New York Times investigation published Oct. 28. The Times said it interviewed 12 people over two months and obtained dozens of text messages and documents. According to the report, Peltola campaign aides, lawyers for the campaign and staff of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee helped recruit candidates, including Daniel J. Sullivan Jr., to run. The effort to stack the ballot allegedly began in the summer of 2025, when DSCC aides connected the Peltola campaign with Democratic operatives experienced in such tactics. Daniel J. Sullivan Jr., a retired schoolteacher from Petersburg who previously supported Peltola, later changed his registration from Republican to undeclared.

Campaign and DSCC Reject Recruitment Claim

Peltola's campaign committee, Alaskans for Mary, said through a spokesperson that it had no involvement with either Sullivan campaign and was focused on costs and Washington dysfunction. The DSCC likewise said it had no involvement in recruiting Daniel J. Sullivan or any other Republican candidate. Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. has long denied running at Democrats' behest and has said he had no contact with Peltola's campaign, describing the contacts in June as zero, none and zilch.

Subpoenas Multiply as Governor Orders Inquiry

The Justice Department is escalating a criminal investigation that had already been underway for months. A person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press on Oct. 29 that subpoenas seeking grand jury testimony or documents, along with records-preservation demands, were issued after the Times report, with more subpoenas expected. The potential targets remain unclear. Attorney General Todd Blanche declined in a Fox News interview to discuss criminal inquiries but accused Democrats of cheating by putting up a person with the same name rather than competing on issues. Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy ordered a state investigation on the night of Oct. 28, saying the reporting revealed disturbing new evidence of an organized effort to confuse voters and that it substantially supported earlier findings by the state elections board. President Donald Trump earlier called for Peltola and her campaign to face criminal prosecution, and Vice President JD Vance said on Oct. 29 that authorities should look into whether election fraud occurred.

Two Sullivans Test Ranked-Choice Ballot

At issue is voter confusion under Alaska's ranked-choice system, in which the top four primary finishers advance regardless of party. The November ballot lists four candidates: Sen. Dan S. Sullivan, identified as a registered Republican and the incumbent; Peltola; Gerald Heikes; and Daniel J. Sullivan Jr., listed without a party designation. A top state elections official had earlier ruled Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. ineligible for the primary ballot, finding his filing was made to confuse or mislead voters, but the Alaska Supreme Court allowed him to remain on the ballot in June, with a full opinion still pending. The Justice Department last week sued Alaska election officials, seeking to block certification if Sen. Sullivan loses and a reallocation of votes cast for Daniel J. Sullivan would have changed the outcome. In the primary, Peltola led Sen. Sullivan by about eight percentage points, while Daniel J. Sullivan won 2.5 percent and took the third of four general-election spots. Recent polling underlines the stakes: an InsiderAdvantage poll conducted Oct. 9-10 put Peltola at 48 percent, Sen. Sullivan at 43 percent, Daniel J. Sullivan at 1.7 percent and Heikes at 2.2 percent, with 5.3 percent undecided, while a VoteHub tracker average had the incumbent about 2.7 points behind.

Three Tracks to Watch Before Certification

Three tracks now matter. First, the federal criminal probe: whom the new grand jury subpoenas target and whether charges follow. Second, the state inquiry ordered by Dunleavy: whether it produces criminal referrals or civil penalties before Election Day. Third, the federal certification lawsuit: whether a court accepts the argument that possible confusion alone justifies blocking certification. Because Alaska's ranked-choice tabulation can take weeks, the Senate outcome may be among the last decided.