Alaska’s senior U.S. senator, Republican Dan Sullivan, told Fox News on “Hannity” that the campaign of Democratic challenger Mary Peltola allegedly orchestrated a months‑long effort to place a second “Dan Sullivan” on the ballot in order to mislead voters. Sullivan described the move as “a scandal at the highest order” and warned that the scheme threatens the integrity of the election.
Allegations of a Name‑Confusion Plot
The New York Times reported that Peltola’s campaign, together with senior aides at the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC), coordinated the filing of a retired schoolteacher named Daniel J. Jr. Sullivan to appear alongside the incumbent on the ballot. The theory, according to Sullivan, is that voters seeing two “Dan Sullivans” might inadvertently cast a vote for the challenger.
“They spent over a year scheming in a secret operation to trick Alaskans and get them to throw away their vote,” Sullivan said. “The Democrats will do anything to gain power.” He added that the alleged plot reflects a “total contempt” for Alaskans.
Legal Action and Election Impact
The Justice Department has moved to delay certification of Alaska’s Senate results while the duplicate name issue is investigated. Federal prosecutors are conducting an “aggressive criminal investigation” into how the second Sullivan secured a spot on the ballot, two sources familiar with the matter told Fox News.
Sullivan emphasized that the outcome of the Alaska race could determine which party controls the United States Senate. “This isn’t just about Alaska — this is about America,” he said, noting that the seat could be pivotal in the balance of power.
Peltola’s Response
Mary Peltola dismissed the allegations as a distraction, calling the New York Times report a ploy to “sell newspapers.” Her campaign maintains that the Alaskans for Mary organization had no involvement with either Sullivan campaign.
“This is just another distraction,” Peltola said in a statement. “We remain focused on the issues that matter to Alaskans.”
Sullivan’s Call to Action
Senator Sullivan pledged to inform every Alaskan about the alleged scheme. “We’re campaigning 24/7, and we’re telling every Alaskan, ‘Don’t let your vote be stolen,’” he said.
He urged voters to verify the candidate’s full name on the ballot and to stay alert for any attempts to manipulate the voting process.
What This Means for Alaskans
With the election looming, Alaskans are being asked to scrutinize the ballot closely and to consider the broader implications of a potential shift in Senate control. The controversy underscores the high stakes of the race and the importance of voter vigilance in safeguarding democratic processes.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
