Peltola says she "knew nothing about" the other Dan Sullivan

Key points

• Mary Peltola denied knowing anything about Daniel J. Sullivan, a candidate with the same name as Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan, appearing on Alaska's Senate ballot.
• The New York Times reported that operatives linked to Peltola's campaign helped recruit Daniel J. Sullivan, which her campaign and the DSCC denied.
• The Justice Department sued over possible voter confusion and opened a criminal probe, while Gov. Mike Dunleavy ordered a separate state investigation.

Democratic Alaska Senate candidate Mary Peltola told supporters in Juneau on Thursday that she "knew nothing about" a second Dan Sullivan on the ballot, after two days of questions about how a man with the same first and last name as her Republican opponent got there. The New York Times reported Thursday that operatives linked to Peltola's campaign helped recruit Daniel J. Sullivan, who shares the name of GOP Sen. Dan Sullivan.

The Justice Department has sued to potentially block certification of the election if the senator loses because of "voter confusion," and has issued subpoenas in a separate criminal investigation. Alaska state courts allowed the other Sullivan, a retired teacher, to remain on the ballot.

What Peltola said

At the rally, Peltola said she had known only about herself and the incumbent on the ballot. "I am not interested in tricking voters. I know I can beat Dan Sullivan," she told supporters. She described facing "smears" and said she would "stay focused on affordability, affordability, affordability."

I knew nothing about any other candidates on the ballot except for me and the incumbent.

— Mary Peltola

Investigations and reactions

Sen. Sullivan has called Daniel J. Sullivan a "sham candidate" meant to confuse voters and draw votes from him. The other Sullivan has denied those allegations and says he is genuinely interested in running. Peltola's campaign and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee denied any role in recruiting him.

President Trump said Peltola and Daniel J. Sullivan should be removed from the ballot and prosecuted, saying "The Democrats cheated!" Gov. Mike Dunleavy ordered a separate probe into whether Alaska law was broken and said it could affect whether a winner is certified. A Peltola spokesperson called his threat to overrule voters an example of what Alaskans dislike about partisan politics.