Full Breakdown
Allegations of Ballot-Stacking in Alaska’s 2026 Senate Race
By Drooid · · How we work
In this breakdown
01
Core Event
A New York Times investigation reports that staffers for Democratic Senate nominee Mary Peltola coordinated with the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) and a political operative to recruit Dan J. Sullivan, a retired teacher from Petersburg, as a “spoiler” candidate. Internally dubbed the “ballot composition project,” the effort aimed to place a second Dan Sullivan on Alaska’s four-person ranked-choice ballot to dilute votes for incumbent Republican Sen. Dan S. Sullivan.
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Video: Breaking down the report alleging Mary Peltola's campaign recruited a second Dan Sullivan in Alaska
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WATCH: Trump calls for Peltola to drop out after report her campaign helped recruit 2nd Dan Sullivan
02
Background & Context
Alaska’s nonpartisan primary advances the top four vote-getters to a general election that uses ranked-choice voting. Voters rank candidates; if no one obtains a majority, the lowest-ranked candidate is eliminated and their votes transfer to the next preference. Critics argue that identical names may still confuse voters who do not rank both Sullivans.
Visual evidence
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03
Timeline
- Summer 2025 – A Peltola aide scans voter rolls for Alaskans named Dan Sullivan.
- May 2026 – Dan J. Sullivan files paperwork to run.
- August 2026 – Both Dan Sullivans finish in the top four; the Alaska Supreme Court rejects a challenge to Dan J. Sullivan’s eligibility.
- June 26 2026 – Dan J. Sullivan is photographed in Petersburg.
- July 3 2026 – Same candidate appears in a campaign photo in Petersburg.
- October 13 2026 – President Trump references the report at a press event in Wasilla.
- October 15 2026 – Peltola debates in Anchorage.
- October 28 2026 (scheduled) – Trump repeats calls for Peltola’s removal in a televised interview.
- Early November 2026 – Election day and pending federal court decision on the Justice Department’s lawsuit.
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Data & Statistics
- Early voting: more than 60,000 Alaskans have cast ballots, exceeding early-vote totals from 2022.
- Primary results: Dan J. Sullivan received 2.5 % of the primary vote, most of it from voters who also supported Peltola.
- Polls (late September): Peltola leads the incumbent by 7 points (50 %–43 %).
- Polls (early October): leads by 2 points (51 %–49 %) in the final ranked-choice round.
05
Official Statements & Responses
- DSCC – Denied any role in recruiting Dan J. Sullivan.
- Dan J. Sullivan – Said he ran “independently” with “zero” contact with the Peltola operation.
- Justice Department – Claims the sole purpose of Dan J. Sullivan’s candidacy was to confuse voters.
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Criticism & Opposition
Republican officials, including President Donald Trump, have called the recruitment a “fraud” and urged Peltola’s removal. RNC spokesman Nick Poche described the tactic as “shameful” and suggested a possible federal campaign-finance violation. U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski endorsed the incumbent and demanded “honest truth” from Peltola’s team.
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On-the-Ground Reports
Petersburg residents expressed skepticism about the allegations.
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Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Peltola campaign denies involvement, yet former manager Elisa Rios told the Times that Peltola was “definitely aware” of the effort.
- Dan J. Sullivan maintains he acted independently, contradicting claims he was approached by operatives.
- Legal experts note that while “ballot-stacking” is generally legal, the DOJ’s claim that the candidacy was solely intended to confuse voters remains unproven.
09
What’s Next
A federal judge is expected to rule on motions to dismiss the DOJ lawsuit before election day. The outcome will determine whether the election results can be certified or if further legal challenges will follow.