Republicans ask FEC to investigate Peltola campaign over spoiler candidate

Top Republicans are urging the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to investigate Democratic Alaska Senate candidate Mary Peltola's involvement in supporting a spoiler candidate with the same name as her opponent, incumbent GOP Senator Dan Sullivan, according to recent details shared with Semafor. This request comes in light of new reporting by The New York Times about the efforts of national Democrats and the Peltola campaign to enlist Dan J. Sullivan into the Senate race.

The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) is asking the FEC to investigate both the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and Peltola's campaign, with the possibility of referring the matter to the Justice Department if violations are found to be "knowing and willful." The NRSC had previously requested an investigation into the other Dan Sullivan in June, but the expanded complaint now contains new details and allegations.

The complaint claims that Dan J. Sullivan's candidacy was part of a "ballot composition Project" orchestrated by Peltola's campaign committee and funded by multiple super PACs. Republicans fear that the presence of a second Dan Sullivan on the ballot, using a unique ranked-choice voting system, could cost incumbent Senator Dan Sullivan votes in the close midterm race.

Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski condemned the actions of Peltola's allies, stating that recruiting candidates to manipulate the field and influence voting outcomes is "simply wrong" and Alaskans deserve "the honest truth from Mary and her campaign." The complaint alleges that federal laws were violated by knowingly recruiting Dan J. Sullivan to mislead Alaska voters and coordinate with outside groups to assist him.

The complaint also claims that Peltola's campaign attempted to recruit other candidates, including Gerald Heikes, who is also on the ballot.