Alaska Voter Says Alleged Spoiler Plot Changed His Senate Choice

A voter heading to the polls in Alaska said he had changed his mind about the Senate race after learning of allegations that Democrats sought to recruit a candidate named Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. to run against incumbent Republican Sen. Daniel S. Sullivan. The contest uses ranked-choice voting, and the candidates’ nearly identical names have drawn attention ahead of the November 3 election.

The man, who was not identified, had previously considered supporting Democratic candidate and former Rep. Mary Peltola. He said he now viewed the alleged plan as sleazy, and he and a woman accompanying him said they would vote for the incumbent. The woman called the alleged effort unethical and said Peltola should not be elected.

Peltola denied involvement at a rally last week, saying she knew only about herself and the incumbent and was not interested in misleading voters. Sullivan said in a speech on Monday that the extent of alleged cheating had become clear. President Donald Trump has endorsed Sullivan and urged him to run under protest over the second candidate with the same name.

Separately, conservative commentator Joe Hoft alleged on Monday that Alaska Values PAC sent a mailer promoting Peltola and independent candidate Dan J. Sullivan. The mailer image he posted identified the PAC as its payer. The PAC has been linked to the alleged effort to recruit and promote the independent candidate.

Alaska’s Senate Race Draws Claims of a Spoiler Scheme

The Alaska Senate contest has become clouded by allegations about a candidate whose name closely matches Republican incumbent Dan Sullivan. A voter said he switched from considering Democrat Mary Peltola to supporting Sullivan after learning of claims that Democrats sought to recruit Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. to siphon votes from the incumbent.

Those claims are serious, but they do not establish that Peltola took part. She denied involvement at a rally last week, saying she knew only about her own candidacy and Sullivan’s and had no interest in tricking voters. That distinction matters in a race where accusations can shape voters’ choices before they reach the polls.

The voter and a woman with him said they would support the incumbent, with the woman calling the alleged effort unethical. Separately, conservative commentator Joe Hoft alleged that Alaska Values PAC sent a mailer promoting Peltola and independent candidate Dan J. Sullivan. The image he posted identified the PAC as the payer. Claims about the campaign deserve scrutiny, but Peltola’s denial remains part of the story.

Alaska Voter Switches to Sullivan After Alleged Spoiler Scheme

An Alaska voter said allegations of a plan to put a near-namesake candidate on the Senate ballot changed his vote. He had considered Democrat Mary Peltola but said he would now back Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan after learning of claims that Democrats sought to recruit Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. to draw votes away from the incumbent.

The voter called the alleged scheme sleazy, and the woman accompanying him said it was unethical. Their reaction underscores the stakes of a ranked-choice contest in which two candidates have nearly identical names. Voters deserve a clear account of who promoted the independent candidate and why.

Joe Hoft alleged on Monday that Alaska Values PAC sent a mailer promoting Peltola and Dan J. Sullivan; the image he posted named the PAC as the payer. The PAC has been linked to the alleged recruitment effort. Peltola denied involvement at a rally last week, but that denial does not erase the questions raised by the allegations. Sullivan said Monday that the extent of alleged cheating had become clear, and President Donald Trump urged him to run under protest.