Times Report: Peltola Campaign Aides Aided Covert Scheme to Field Spoiler Candidates in Alaska Senate Race

A New York Times investigation published Wednesday found that Mary Peltola's Senate campaign and Democratic allies participated in a covert effort to recruit candidates named Dan Sullivan to peel votes from incumbent Republican Sen. Dan S. Sullivan in Alaska's ranked-choice general election. The operation, dubbed the "ballot composition project," allegedly involved aides from the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) and an operative who traveled under assumed names.

Peltola's former campaign manager, Elisa Rios, told the Times that Peltola was "definitely aware" of the plan, though not directly involved; Rios later attempted to retract her comments. The campaign and DSCC have denied involvement in recruiting any candidates. The report comes days before Election Day and amid a Justice Department lawsuit seeking to block certification if Sullivan loses due to voter confusion over the two identical names on the ballot.