A New York Times investigation published Wednesday detailed an effort by operatives aligned with Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola’s Senate campaign to recruit a second candidate named Dan Sullivan in Alaska’s U.S. Senate race. The report suggests the recruitment aimed to confuse voters in the contest against incumbent Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK), a race that could determine control of the Senate.
The investigation, which reviewed text messages and interviewed 12 participants, describes a "ballot composition project" involving Peltola campaign staff, officials from the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC), and political consultants. The effort reportedly led to the candidacy of Dan J. Sullivan, a retired teacher from Petersburg, Alaska, who entered the race in the spring. Republicans have long alleged that Democrats coordinated this move to siphon votes from the incumbent, a claim Peltola’s campaign has repeatedly denied.
What the Right Is Saying
Republicans have seized on the Times report as evidence of Democratic manipulation in a pivotal election. National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman Tim Scott issued a sharp rebuke of the Peltola campaign following the publication. "Peltola will be held accountable this election for her dishonesty and deception. Alaskans will leave Peltola unranked on the ballot because of her dirty tricks," Scott said. He added, "Voters can trust the real Dan Sullivan, and I’m confident he’ll be re-elected."
President Donald Trump also criticized the tactics described in the report, stating in a video earlier this month, "It’s cheating." The Republican Party argues that the presence of a second Dan Sullivan on the ballot, particularly one recruited by Democratic operatives, unfairly disadvantages the incumbent. The report notes that after Democrat David Leslie withdrew, Republican Gerald Heikes advanced to the general election, leaving Peltola as the only Democrat facing three candidates identified as Republicans or unaffiliated.
What the Left Is Saying
Peltola’s campaign, Alaskans for Mary, stated in a response to the Times that it has "no involvement with either Sullivan campaign and did not recruit any candidates into the race." The campaign maintains that the recruitment narrative is a partisan distraction from the incumbent’s record. Dan J. Sullivan, the challenger, has consistently stated that he entered the race independently and without coordination with the Peltola campaign.
Democratic officials and consultants linked to the effort have pushed back against the characterization of the project as deceptive. The DSCC denied any role in recruiting Sullivan or other Republican candidates. Jim Lottsfeldt, a political consultant working with super PACs aligned with Peltola, denied participating in a scheme to support spoiler candidates. Furthermore, 49th State PAC, a pro-Peltola group, denied hiring or paying Wingspan Strategies, a firm co-owned by operative Jerid Kurtz, for services related to the recruitment.
What the Numbers Show
The investigation revealed specific financial and logistical details of the alleged operation. Financial records cited by the Times show that 49th State PAC paid approximately $87,000 to Wingspan Strategies, a firm co-owned by Jerid Kurtz. Kurtz reportedly traveled through Alaska using the alias "Zane" while approaching potential candidates. One such candidate, Matthew Salisbury, a former congressional candidate who declined to run, told the Times that the recruiter offered the possibility of outside support but did not disclose the funding source.
The report also highlighted internal communications. In a January text exchange, Peltola’s then-campaign manager, Anton McParland, proposed the creation of a "MAGA party" to DSCC campaign director Andrew Piatt to attract conservative voters. Piatt responded, "Smart. Let’s see." The idea did not materialize. Additionally, former Peltola campaign manager Elisa Rios stated that while Peltola was not directly involved in the project, she was "definitely aware" of it. Alaska election officials initially removed the challenger from the ballot over good-faith concerns, but the Alaska Supreme Court ruled he could remain.
The Bottom Line
The publication of the New York Times investigation intensifies scrutiny on the Alaska Senate race, which is widely viewed as a critical determinant of Senate control in the 2026 midterms. The report challenges the Peltola campaign’s repeated denials of involvement in recruiting the second Dan Sullivan, citing internal messages and financial records. With the Alaska Supreme Court having allowed the challenger to remain on the ballot, the race continues with three candidates bearing the name Dan Sullivan, though the ballot distinguishes them by full names, party affiliation, and incumbent status. Political analysts will monitor voter response and potential legal challenges as early voting approaches.