Democrats Backed Dan Sullivan Spoiler to Split Alaska Senate Vote

Democratic officials in Alaska worked to recruit a challenger named Dan Sullivan for the upcoming Senate race, according to a report by The New York Times published Wednesday. The effort was led by the campaign of incumbent Democrat Mary Peltola and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. Both men will appear on the ballot in next week's midterm elections.

The committee sought to place a spoiler candidate on the ballot during the summer of 2025. They introduced the Peltola campaign to Jerid Kurtz, an Ohio-based operative specializing in such recruitment efforts. Kurtz initially approached a candidate who did not share the senator's name. He later recruited the second Dan Sullivan, a retiree from southeastern Alaska with limited political experience.

Republicans have criticized the presence of two candidates with nearly identical names. They describe the newcomer as a strategic move to split the incumbent's support and cost him re-election. Nate Adams, a spokesperson for Sullivan's campaign, accused Peltola and her team of spending months denying a scheme they were running. He stated that Alaskans deserve the truth.

The Peltola campaign has denied any involvement with the second Dan Sullivan. A spokesperson said the Alaskans for Mary campaign has no involvement with either Sullivan campaign. The DSCC stated it is not involved with Dan J. Sullivan. The committee pointed to a history of Republicans recruiting and supporting candidates in Alaska, Ohio, North Carolina, and Montana.

Elisa Rios, Peltola's former campaign manager, told The New York Times that Alaskan voters need to know. Rios was fired in August. She later tried to retract her interview. The report draws on interviews with Rios and other sources, along with documents and text messages tied to the recruitment effort.

The Times reported that Peltola campaign officials discussed creating a rightwing party to field a candidate with the DSCC. That plan did not materialize. After a second Democrat advanced through the August primary, Kurtz reportedly met with him and persuaded him to drop out. Gerald Heikes, a perennial candidate, replaced him on the ballot. Heikes said he was recruited by a guy from the midwest, though the person did not resemble the Ohio operative.

President Donald Trump shared the article on Truth Social, calling it proof of election fraud. He said Peltola should not be allowed to run. Last week, he acknowledged ordering the justice department to file a lawsuit seeking to block certification of the election results if Sullivan loses. At an Alaska rally this month, he urged the senator's supporters to vote for the real Dan Sullivan.

State election authorities tried to disqualify the other Dan Sullivan before the August primary. The state supreme court ruled he could appear on the ballot. He finished among the top four vote-getters in the nonpartisan primary. On the general election ballot, the incumbent will be listed as Sullivan, Dan S. (Registered Republican) Incumbent. The challenger will be listed as Sullivan, Daniel J. Jr.

Sullivan is seeking a third term against Peltola, a former congresswoman. Democrats are targeting Alaska as a state where they hope to regain a Senate majority. They currently hold 47 seats to the GOP's 53. Recent polls have shown Peltola ahead. The race is one of the most closely watched midterm contests.