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NewsWSVN 7 MiamiOctober 28, 2026Miami-Dade County

Report links Peltola campaign to recruiting second Dan Sullivan for Alaska Senate ballot

Photo: WSVN 7 Miami

A news report details text messages showing Democratic campaign officials discussing the recruitment of a retired schoolteacher named Dan J. Sullivan to run for the U.S. Senate against incumbent Republican Dan Sullivan. The candidate's inclusion on the ranked-vote ballot led to legal challenges, a decision by the Alaska Supreme Court allowing him to run, and a Department of Justice lawsuit ordered by President Donald Trump.

ElectionsCampaignsLegal Disputes
Read the full story at WSVN 7 Miami

Why It Matters

Voters face a multi-candidate ranked-vote ballot featuring two candidates with identical names, while federal litigation seeks to pre-emptively challenge the certification of a potential election win.

Key Facts

  • A media report published text messages indicating members of Democrat Mary Peltola’s campaign discussed recruiting individuals with the same name as incumbent Republican Dan Sullivan.
  • The campaign's efforts led to the candidacy of Dan J. Sullivan, a retired schoolteacher from Petersburg.
  • A state elections official initially ruled Dan J. Sullivan ineligible for the ballot, claiming the filing was intended to confuse voters.
  • The Alaska Supreme Court ultimately ruled that Dan J. Sullivan was qualified to run under U.S. Constitutional age, citizenship, and residency requirements.
  • President Donald Trump directed the Department of Justice to file a lawsuit pre-emptively contesting a potential Peltola win due to the second candidate's presence.
  • Peltola’s campaign and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee have denied involvement in the candidate recruitment.
  • Dan J. Sullivan is listed on the general election ballot with no party affiliation alongside incumbent Republican Dan Sullivan and two other candidates.
  • As of Monday, 46,204 ballots had already been cast in Alaska according to data cited in the report.

Who's Mentioned

OrganizationDemocratic Senatorial Campaign Committee“National organization that denied involvement with Dan J. Sullivan's campaign.”PersonPeltola“Democratic U.S. Senate candidate whose campaign was linked in a report to recrui”PersonElisa Rios“Peltola’s former campaign manager whose interviews formed part of the basis for ”OrganizationAlaska Supreme Court“Court that ruled Dan J. Sullivan was qualified to run for the Senate.”PersonDan J. Sullivan“Retired schoolteacher from Petersburg running as a candidate with no party affil”PersonDerek Muller“Notre Dame law professor quoted regarding the campaign trick and court rulings.”PersonDonald Trump“U.S. President who directed the Department of Justice to file a lawsuit contesti”PersonNate Adams“Spokesperson for Sen. Sullivan’s campaign.”OrganizationThe Associated Press“News agency reporting on the developments and voting data.”PersonDan Sullivan“Republican incumbent U.S. Senator for Alaska.”locationPetersburg“Small fishing community in Alaska where Dan J. Sullivan resides.”OrganizationThe New York Times“Newspaper that published text messages regarding the candidate recruitment.”OrganizationDepartment of Justice“Federal department that filed a lawsuit pre-emptively contesting a Peltola win.”