DOJ insists it just wants Alaska ballots preserved and isn’t seeking to change votes

The New York Times reported on October 28, 2026, that the campaign of Democratic Alaska Senatorial candidate Mary Peltola, along with senior officials from the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC), were involved in recruiting spoiler candidates to challenge incumbent Republican Senator Dan Sullivan. Specifically, they allegedly recruited a second candidate named Dan J. Sullivan, who is not actively campaigning but shares his name with the incumbent. The Justice Department has since intensified its investigation into this matter, deploying additional FBI resources and prosecutors to Alaska as of October 30.

This alleged scheme aims to confuse voters and potentially siphon votes away from Senator Dan Sullivan. Election authorities in Alaska attempted to disqualify Dan J. Sullivan from appearing on the ballot but were unsuccessful. Republicans have strongly condemned these actions, with some accusing Democrats of orchestrating a conspiracy to undermine the incumbent's re-election bid.

The case has garnered significant national attention and political controversy, with President Donald Trump calling for changes to the Alaska ballot system. The involvement of election lawyer Marc Elias from the Elias Law Group, which served as counsel for both Peltola’s campaign and DSCC, further fuels allegations of unethical practices in the race.