Alaska Governor Probes 'Decoy Dan' Scheme as 2 Sullivan Names Stay on Senate Ballot
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Oct 30
Alaska Governor Probes 'Decoy Dan' Scheme as 2 Sullivan Names Stay on Senate Ballot
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Oct 30
Summary
Mike Dunleavy said Alaska is investigating newly surfaced evidence that operatives tied to Democrat Mary Peltola helped recruit a second Dan Sullivan for the U.S. Senate race days before the midterms.
The probe follows New York Times reporting that spoiler candidates named Dan Sullivan were sought around Alaska, adding details state officials say they lacked when they challenged the Petersburg candidate this summer.
Dunleavy argued Alaska's top-four, ranked-choice system enabled the controversy, saying a traditional party primary would likely have blocked the retired schoolteacher from reaching the November ballot.
The Alaska Supreme Court had already allowed both Sullivan names to remain on the ballot, with Sen. Dan Sullivan labeled incumbent, after the second candidate sought the listing Daniel S. Sullivan and used a similar website.
Peltola's campaign denies involvement, while Dunleavy said investigators will examine possible civil or criminal election-law violations as the case tests confidence in Alaska's election system.