Sullivan Accuses Peltola of Lying About Alleged Ballot Scheme

Speaking on CNN two days before Election Day, Sullivan said he doubted Peltola’s claim that she knew nothing about efforts by political aides to recruit retired teacher Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. for the Senate ballot. The second candidate is listed as Daniel J. Sullivan Jr.; the senator appears as Dan S. Sullivan and is identified as the Republican incumbent.

Sullivan’s Ballot-Scheme Claims Risk Undermining Alaska’s Election

With Election Day approaching, Sullivan used a CNN appearance to accuse Peltola of lying about an alleged plan to recruit a second candidate named Dan Sullivan. The accusation is serious, but Peltola has said she had no idea about the effort, and her campaign and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee have denied involvement. The retired teacher on the ballot has also said he ran on his own accord.

Sullivan pointed to text messages and other material described in a New York Times story, while stopping short of declaring that a crime had occurred. He said lawyers should determine legality. Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders called the alleged Democratic strategy “dumb” but said it was not illegal; Rep. Jamie Raskin also said same-name candidates appear on ballots.

The controversy has escalated beyond campaign rhetoric. The Justice Department filed a lawsuit seeking to prevent official confirmation of a potential Peltola victory, but a federal judge said Sunday the department lacked standing. Sullivan said he would accept the election result, even as President Donald Trump and other Republicans have pressed for legal action or questioned what might happen if Peltola wins. Allegations alone should not become a reason to cast doubt on voters’ choice.

Peltola Must Answer for Alleged Ballot-Confusion Operation

The central question for Alaska voters before Election Day is whether Peltola’s political operation helped put a namesake candidate on the ballot to divert votes from Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan. Sullivan said on CNN that the effort, which he said involved Peltola’s aides and Democratic campaign officials, could not have continued for a year without her knowledge. He accused her of continuing to lie.

The claims draw on text messages, campaign-finance documents and statements from Peltola’s former campaign manager, who said Peltola was aware. Peltola denies involvement, her campaign and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee have denied connections, and the second Sullivan has maintained that he entered the race independently. Sullivan said lawyers should decide whether laws were broken, while arguing that the alleged operation treated Alaskans with disdain.

Democratic voices have offered a different assessment. Sanders called the alleged tactic dumb but not illegal, while Raskin said candidates with the same name can appear on ballots. The Justice Department sued over certification, but a judge ruled Sunday that it lacked standing. Sullivan said he would accept the election results. His stance contrasts with calls from Trump for prosecution and legal efforts to prevent certification of a possible Peltola victory.