Democrats alleged effort to recruit Dan Sullivan namesakes to tilt the Alaska senate race: Report

WASHINGTON, DC: A New York Times report has detailed an alleged effort by operatives aligned with Democratic Senate nominee Mary Peltola to recruit candidates who could weaken Republican Senator Dan Sullivan's support in Alaska's Senate race ahead of the November midterm elections.

According to the report, the effort included searching for other Alaskans named Dan Sullivan and approaching additional potential candidates who could split the Republican vote. The newspaper cited interviews, text messages and documents prepared for a potential lawsuit to detail the alleged strategy.

How the alleged Alaska ballot strategy worked

According to the report, the effort began in the summer of 2025, when a Peltola campaign staffer was instructed by senior aides to identify people named Dan Sullivan across Alaska. The newspaper reported that campaign-aligned operatives pursued a broader strategy, internally called the "ballot composition project," to recruit candidates who could draw votes away from the Republican incumbent.

One candidate who subsequently entered the race was Dan J. Sullivan, a retired teacher from Petersburg, a remote community in Alaska's Panhandle. The report alleged that Democratic operatives discussed recruiting him because his name matched that of the sitting Republican senator. However, Dan J. Sullivan maintained that he entered the race independently and denied the reports.

The reported effort extended beyond the two candidates sharing a name. The newspaper said operatives also approached other potential candidates, including Matthew Salisbury, who ultimately did not run, and Gerald Heikes, who entered the race. The report identified a Midwestern operative, Jerid Kurtz, who allegedly used the name "Zane" while approaching prospective candidates.

Alaska’s election system allows candidates to compete in a nonpartisan primary, with the top four advancing to the general election. The state also uses ranked-choice voting in general elections. The report alleged that operatives sought to take advantage of the system by creating competition for Republican votes.

The allegations have drawn attention because control of the Senate could depend on a limited number of competitive races across the country. 

Peltola campaign and DSCC deny involvement in alleged recruitment effort

Former Peltola campaign manager Elisa Rios described discussions involving campaign aides and Democratic Senate committee officials. Rios said that Peltola was not directly involved in the project but was "definitely aware," according to the newspaper. She also told the Times that the effort extended beyond recruiting a second Dan Sullivan.

Peltola's campaign rejected the allegations, stating that "The Alaskans for Mary campaign has no involvement with either Sullivan campaign and did not recruit any candidates into the race."

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) also denied involvement, saying it had "no involvement" in recruiting Dan J. Sullivan "or any other Republican candidate."

The newspaper said its findings were based on interviews with 12 people who participated in or were informed about the effort, as well as text messages and other documents.

It also reported that Rios later sought to retract her statements and said she was no longer willing to serve as a source. The newspaper said it had not agreed to withhold her earlier interviews and that her account was consistent with other reporting.

The allegations have placed renewed scrutiny on the Alaska Senate contest, with the campaigns facing questions over the reported recruitment effort and its potential impact on the race.