Sullivan doubts Peltola’s denial of ballot‑spoiler involvement

Republican Senator Dan Sullivan has said he doubts Democratic rival Mary Peltola’s claim that she was unaware of a decoy candidate named Dan Sullivan being placed on the Alaska ballot.

Sullivan told CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday that he believes Peltola’s top aides recruited the retired schoolteacher, listed as Daniel J. Sullivan Jr., to confuse voters in a race that could decide Senate control. He added that “she got caught lying, and she’s still lying to the Alaskan people, the media, to all of us.”

Peltola has repeatedly denied any involvement, describing the issue as a “distraction” from Alaska’s high‑price concerns linked to the war in Iran. She told KTUU she “has no idea” whether anyone on her campaign recruited the other Sullivan.

A New York Times report, based on interviews with Peltola’s former campaign manager, text messages and finance documents, suggested an operative paid by a group backing Peltola was involved in the recruitment. The story prompted federal subpoenas and a request by former President Donald Trump for prosecution.

Republican officials, including South Carolina Senator Tim Scott, have said criminal charges could be appropriate, while Democratic figures such as Rep Jamie Raskin and Sen Bernie Sanders dismissed the allegations as typical election tactics.

Sullivan said he will let lawyers decide if any crimes occurred but expects the decoy to cost him votes. He added he will accept the election result, regardless of certification.

Source: ABC News. Photo: Mikhail Nilov / Pexels.