The governor of Alaska has launched an investigation following a report by the New York Times regarding a complex U.S. Senate race in the state.
This election could affect the control of the Senate.
The Times detailed Democratic efforts to incorporate a candidate who could confuse voters and siphon support from the Republican incumbent. Both candidates in focus share the name Dan Sullivan. NPR has not verified the Times’ report, but it has stirred the election just before voters head to polls.
Democrat Mary Peltola, a former congresswoman, is campaigning to switch the seat to her party. Peltola’s attorneys and advisers, along with Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee aides, were reportedly involved in the situation according to the Times. While Democrats deny involvement with the non-incumbent Sullivan, the Times report has brought this issue to light.
During her campaign, Peltola dismissed the news as a distraction and the non-incumbent Sullivan has refrained from commenting. He has previously stated his independent decision to run for the Senate.
Republicans have reacted strongly to the news. Nate Adams, a spokesperson for the incumbent Sen. Sullivan, accused Peltola’s campaign of misleading Alaskans. President Trump labeled the situation as major voter fraud and his Justice Department already attempted legal intervention by proposing a delay in certification if the incumbent Sullivan narrowly loses.
The Department of Justice raised concerns over voter confusion due to having two candidates named Dan Sullivan, but experts have criticized these claims, citing state control over elections as outlined in the Constitution.
The non-incumbent Sullivan appeared on the ballot following a June decision by the Alaska Supreme Court. The DOJ is pursuing further investigation following the Times’ report, filing a revised complaint with added information.
Gov. Mike Dunleavy has instructed the Department of Public Safety to investigate potential legal violations. It remains uncertain what laws might be breached, but political trickery is common and difficult to legislate against as per Elaine Kamarck from the Brookings Institution.
Major-party advisers sometimes back third-party candidates to weaken opposition. Some Alaskans compared this with Republican support for a Democrat running for the U.S. House seat while incarcerated in New York.
The second Sullivan progressed to the general election after qualifying in Alaska’s open primary, which sends four top candidates to the fall ballot.
Reactions to the Times’ findings range from frustration over distraction to skepticism regarding voter confusion. The ballot indicates which Sullivan is the Republican incumbent, reducing possible confusion.
Alaska’s ranking system allows voters to rank candidates. Confusion over candidate names might lead voters to rank both Sullivans without selecting Peltola.
The general election ballot includes a vote on whether to continue the current election method.
NPR contributors Hansi Lo Wang and Ryan Lucas provided additional reporting.
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