An investigation is underway in Alaska following allegations that people associated with Democratic Senate candidate Mary Peltola’s campaign helped recruit another candidate with nearly the same name as Republican Senator Dan Sullivan.

The controversy has attracted national attention because voters in the November 3, 2026, Senate election will see two candidates named Dan Sullivan on the ballot.

Alaska Republican Governor Mike Dunleavy has ordered an investigation into whether the reported recruitment effort violated state law. Meanwhile, the US Department of Justice has issued subpoenas as part of a separate investigation into the circumstances surrounding the candidacy.

Peltola has denied involvement, describing the controversy as a political distraction.

How Did Two Dan Sullivans End Up on the Ballot?

The controversy involves Republican incumbent Senator Dan S. Sullivan and another candidate, Daniel J. Sullivan Jr., a retired teacher from Petersburg, Alaska.

The second candidate qualified for the November general election after finishing among the top four candidates in the state’s nonpartisan primary.

Republicans have argued that having two candidates with nearly identical names could confuse voters and potentially divert votes from the incumbent senator.

The issue became more controversial after a report by The New York Times described text messages, interviews and documents that allegedly showed people associated with Peltola’s campaign and national Democratic operatives helping encourage Daniel J. Sullivan to enter the race.

ABC News reported that the effort was internally referred to as the “ballot composition project.”

Read ABC News’ investigation into the reported recruitment effort.

Alaska Governor Orders Investigation

On October 28, Republican Governor Mike Dunleavy announced that he was directing the Alaska Department of Public Safety to investigate whether the alleged recruitment effort violated state law.

Dunleavy said voters have a fundamental right to cast ballots for the candidates they actually intend to support.

The investigation will examine whether criminal charges or civil action may be warranted.

The governor’s announcement followed the publication of the New York Times report, which provided additional details about the alleged involvement of people connected to Peltola’s campaign.

CBS News reported on the governor’s investigation and the competing campaign statements.

Mary Peltola Rejects the Allegations

Peltola has rejected suggestions that she deliberately attempted to confuse voters.

Speaking during a campaign appearance in Alaska, she described the controversy as another political distraction and argued that voters were more concerned about everyday issues, including healthcare costs and affordability.

On October 29, she also said she knew nothing about any other candidates on the ballot apart from herself and the incumbent senator.

Her campaign previously told ABC News that it had no involvement with either Sullivan campaign.

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee has also denied involvement in Daniel J. Sullivan’s candidacy.

ABC News reported Peltola’s latest public response on October 30.

Justice Department Issues Subpoenas

The controversy has also expanded into a federal investigation.

On October 29, CBS News reported that the Justice Department had issued a new round of subpoenas targeting Democratic officials believed to have information about the effort to recruit Daniel J. Sullivan.

The department also amended its civil lawsuit seeking to prevent certification of the Senate election results if the incumbent senator loses because of alleged voter confusion.

The lawsuit argues that federal law should allow intervention in the circumstances described by the government.

However, the legal dispute remains unresolved. Alaska officials have challenged the federal government’s attempt to intervene, arguing that administering elections is primarily a state responsibility.

Importantly, subpoenas are investigative measures. They do not establish that the recipients have committed a crime.

Read CBS News’ report on the Justice Department subpoenas.

Why the Second Sullivan’s Candidacy Is Controversial

The Alaska election system uses ranked-choice voting in general elections.

Voters can rank candidates in order of preference rather than selecting only one. If no candidate receives a majority of first-choice votes, the lowest-performing candidate is eliminated and their voters’ next preferences are counted.

This system can reduce the effect of a so-called spoiler candidate, although confusion over similar names could still affect how some people complete their ballots.

The Alaska Supreme Court previously allowed Daniel J. Sullivan to remain on the ballot after election officials challenged his candidacy.

The court’s decision means both candidates named Sullivan are eligible to appear in the November election.

CBS News explains the two candidates and the ballot dispute.

Political Reactions Intensify Ahead of Election Day

Republican Senator Dan Sullivan has criticized the reported recruitment effort and questioned the judgment of his Democratic opponent.

Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski has also criticized the alleged tactic, saying voters deserve an honest explanation.

President Donald Trump has publicly called for legal action against those he believes were involved.

Democrats, meanwhile, have denied responsibility and argued that Republicans are using the controversy to divert attention from the issues facing Alaska voters.

The competing claims have turned the ballot dispute into a major part of the final days of campaigning.

What Happens Next?

With Election Day scheduled for November 3, the investigation and legal proceedings are continuing as Alaskans prepare to vote.

Authorities have not announced criminal charges against anyone involved in the reported recruitment effort.

The outcome of the investigation, the federal lawsuit and the Senate election could have significant implications for Alaska’s political landscape.

For now, the central questions remain whether campaign operatives improperly influenced the ballot and whether voters were misled by the presence of two candidates with nearly identical names.

Sources: ABC News, CBS News, Associated Press, Alaska Public Media and The Washington Post.

This article reflects reporting available through October 30, 2026. The allegations remain under investigation and should not be treated as proven criminal conduct.