Democratic strategist Adrienne Elrod addressed recent reports of a Democratic scheme in Alaska’s Senate race, comparing it to Republican actions in the 2024 presidential race. According to a report by The New York Times, Democratic operatives allegedly recruited Dan Sullivan to act as a spoiler candidate against incumbent Republican Senator Dan Sullivan. This move was intended to aid Democratic opponent, former Representative Mary Peltola.
Speaking on an MS NOW panel, Elrod seemed unsurprised by the controversy, stating, “Some of this stuff happens all the time.” She referenced Republican support for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. during the 2024 election, where Kennedy ran as an independent with backing allegedly aimed at drawing voters away from Joe Biden. Elrod emphasized that political strategies like these occur frequently.
The Peltola campaign’s alleged involvement in recruiting Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. as a spoiler candidate has not been directly admitted. However, reports indicate the campaign might have influenced efforts to reduce the incumbent senator’s voter support.
MS NOW anchor Peter Alexander noted that this political strategy is not illegal. He emphasized that incumbent Senator Dan Sullivan remains clearly listed on the ballot, which counters claims of potential voter confusion.
Republican concerns about the candidacy of Daniel J. Sullivan Jr., a retiree among four candidates on Alaska’s rank-choice ballot, continue. The Department of Justice filed a lawsuit to block election certification if the incumbent senator’s loss ties to votes diverted by another Dan Sullivan’s candidacy.
In summer 2025, Peltola’s staff reportedly searched for individuals named Dan Sullivan in Alaska. The idea was that recruiting another Dan Sullivan could affect the incumbent’s vote share due to the unique ballot system. Peltola herself, while aware of these actions, was not deeply involved, as per previous campaign manager Elisa Rios.
Interviews and documents reviewed by The New York Times suggest a broader scheme by Peltola’s team to recruit additional spoiler candidates. This effort aimed to weaken the incumbent’s support, potentially giving Democrats an edge.
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