Juneau, Alaska – Governor Mike Dunleavy announced Wednesday that he has tasked the Alaska Department of Public Safety with investigating allegations that Democratic Senate candidate Mary Peltola’s campaign coordinated the recruitment of a second candidate named Daniel J. Sullivan, a retired teacher from Petersburg. The probe will determine whether the alleged effort violates Alaska election statutes and could lead to criminal charges or civil action.
Background of the Allegations
The controversy stems from a New York Times report that claimed senior advisers to the Peltola campaign and operatives linked to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee worked to place a namesake candidate on the ballot. The goal, according to the report, was to create confusion among voters and potentially siphon votes away from Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan.
Former Peltola campaign manager Elisa Rios is said to have described the recruitment effort to the Times before attempting to retract her statements. The article also implicated Peltola’s former chief of staff, Anton McParland, and other Democratic operatives.
State Response and Legal Context
Governor Dunleavy emphasized that Alaska’s election laws are clear about fraudulent or deceptive campaign practices. He said, “Alaskans deserve transparent elections, and any attempt to manipulate the ballot will be thoroughly examined.” The governor’s order directs the Department of Public Safety to assess whether the alleged coordination rises to the level of a criminal violation or warrants civil penalties.
Alaska’s Supreme Court has previously ruled that a candidate’s motives alone do not justify removal from the ballot. However, the court left open the possibility that other statutory violations could trigger removal or other sanctions. Investigators will now focus on whether the recruitment effort breached any other provisions of state law.
National Reaction
President Donald Trump, speaking to Newsmax, called for Peltola to be removed from the ballot and for prosecutors to pursue the matter. “If there’s any wrongdoing, it must be dealt with swiftly,” Trump said, underscoring his long‑standing support for election integrity.
Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski, who previously endorsed Peltola but now backs Sen. Dan Sullivan, also criticized the reported conduct, stating that “any attempt to deceive voters undermines the democratic process.”
Peltola’s Response
Mary Peltola dismissed the allegations as a distraction from the issues facing Alaskans. Her campaign issued a statement denying any affiliation with the second Daniel Sullivan and called the investigation a political stunt.
“Our focus remains on serving Alaskans, not on baseless accusations,” the statement read.
What’s Next?
The investigation is expected to take several weeks. If officials find evidence of a violation, they could recommend criminal charges, civil penalties, or other remedies under Alaska law. The outcome may also influence the upcoming Senate race, where Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan is seeking re‑election against Peltola.
Alaskans will be watching closely as the probe unfolds, with both state and national leaders emphasizing the importance of a fair and transparent election process.
Original reporting: KTSA News/Talk (San Antonio) — read the source article.
