Juneau, Alaska – In response to a New York Times report alleging a coordinated attempt to confuse voters in the upcoming U.S. Senate race, Governor Mike Dunleavy announced Thursday that he is ordering a formal investigation. The governor posted on X that the newspaper’s findings “substantially support” earlier concerns raised by the Alaska Division of Elections.
Governor’s directive
“Alaskans have a fundamental right to vote for the candidate they actually intend to support,” Dunleavy wrote. “Deliberately tricking voters into casting their ballots for someone else strikes at the integrity of our elections. Anyone or any organization found to have broken the law must be held accountable.” He instructed the Department of Public Safety to determine whether the alleged scheme violated state law and whether criminal or civil action is warranted.
Details of the alleged scheme
The Times article describes how a group working for Rep. Mary Peltola allegedly helped recruit a retired teacher named Daniel J. Sullivan, Jr. to run for the Senate seat held by Republican Sen. Dan S. Sullivan. The two candidates share nearly identical names, raising the possibility that voters could mistakenly select the wrong Sullivan on the ballot.
According to the report, the effort was part of a broader strategy to dilute Sen. Sullivan’s support and aid the Democratic candidate’s chances. The Department of Elections investigated similar concerns in June and found evidence that warranted further review.
Legal action already pending
On Oct. 22, the Department of Justice filed a federal lawsuit seeking to delay certification of the election results if Sen. Sullivan loses and votes cast for Daniel J. Sullivan, Jr. could have altered the outcome. The lawsuit underscores the seriousness with which federal authorities view potential voter confusion.
Reactions from the candidates
Sen. Dan Sullivan, speaking on Sean Hannity’s show, condemned the alleged plot, calling it a “scandal at the highest order.” He accused Rep. Peltola of running a “far‑left” campaign with no substantive platform and suggested the confusion was a deliberate tactic.
Rep. Peltola’s campaign denied any involvement, stating, “The Alaskans for Mary campaign has no involvement with either Sullivan campaign and did not recruit any candidates into the race.” The campaign has not provided further comment to Fox News Digital.
What’s next?
The investigation ordered by Governor Dunleavy will focus on whether state election laws were breached and whether any individuals or organizations should face charges. The outcome could influence the final certification of the Senate race and set a precedent for how Alaska handles ballot‑name confusion in future elections.
Alaska voters will be watching closely as the probe proceeds, hoping for a transparent process that safeguards the right to a clear and honest ballot.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
