Peltola Aids Hired Challenger, DOJ Says

The Department of Justice filed a lawsuit in federal court in Alaska seeking to prevent the state from certifying the results of the U.S. Senate race. The government alleges that a third-party candidate named Daniel J. Sullivan was recruited to confuse voters who intended to support the Republican incumbent, Senator Dan S. Sullivan. The suit asks Judge Sharon Gleason to hold the certification process until an investigation determines whether votes cast for the challenger were actually meant for the sitting senator.

The legal battle follows a report from The New York Times published on Wednesday. The investigation found that aides to Democratic nominee Mary Peltola and staff from the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee helped recruit Daniel J. Sullivan for the race. The goal was to split the Republican vote and assist Peltola in winning the seat. The Times described the effort as extensive, noting that the group also attempted to bring other minor candidates into the race to further dilute support for the incumbent.

Elisa Rios, the former campaign manager for Peltola, stated that her principal was not directly involved in the recruitment but was aware of the project. Rios was dismissed from her role in August. She later attempted to retract her comments to the newspaper, saying she was no longer willing to serve as a source. The Times maintained that its reporting remained accurate based on interviews and documents prepared for a potential lawsuit against Peltola's campaign.

Peltola's campaign and the DSCC denied participating in the effort. In a statement to CNBC, the campaign said it had no involvement with either Sullivan campaign. A DSCC spokesperson noted that Republican groups have also used similar tactics, citing the recruitment of a prisoner with a New York address and spending nearly half a million dollars to place an Arizona resident on the Alaska ballot. The Times observed that such ballot-stacking strategies are common in Alaska and are generally considered legal.

President Donald Trump ordered the DOJ lawsuit and subsequently demanded on Truth Social that both Peltola and Daniel J. Sullivan be removed from the ballot. He claimed the Democrats acted illegally. Peltola's campaign, the DSCC, and Alaska election officials have asked Judge Gleason to dismiss the case before Election Day on November 3. The League of Women Voters of Alaska and Common Cause have requested to intervene in the case against the dismissal. State officials argue the DOJ lacks authority to interfere in state elections and note that the Division of Elections has taken steps to distinguish the two candidates on the ballot.

Judge Gleason fast-tracked the case on Monday evening, increasing the likelihood of a ruling before voters head to the polls. Daniel J. Sullivan secured his place on the ballot after winning a legal challenge at the Alaska Supreme Court. State election officials had initially objected, arguing his presence would cause voter confusion. He earned one of four spots on the general election ballot, where he is listed as Sullivan, Daniel J. Jr. The incumbent appears below him as Sullivan, Dan. S., marked as a registered Republican and incumbent. Peltola, a former member of the U.S. House, is the only Democrat listed on the ballot.

Alaska utilizes ranked-choice voting for this election. Voters can rank both men named Sullivan. If the challenger is eliminated in the first round, his remaining votes could transfer to the incumbent. The outcome of this race will determine whether Democrats regain a majority in the U.S. Senate or if Republicans retain their current control.