Eyeing Alaska, Trump and Republicans pick a fight over campaign mischief they can’t win

Two Sullivans reach the ballot

After months of arguments, an Alaska state judge ruled in late June that retired teacher Dan J. Sullivan could run against incumbent Republican Sen. Dan S. Sullivan. State election officials later finalized the four candidates advancing from the first round, and both Sullivans made the general election.

The unusual matchup prompted allegations that Democratic nominee Mary Peltola and her allies helped bring the other Sullivan into the race. Peltola’s campaign repeatedly denied involvement. A New York Times report on Wednesday, based on interviews, text messages and documents prepared for a possible lawsuit, challenged those denials and described efforts to recruit other candidates as well.

Republicans demand action

Trump responded with four posts on his social media platform alleging crimes or calling for Peltola to be disqualified. He also told reporters she “should resign,” according to the article, and called for her prosecution at a Wednesday night rally in Ohio. On Thursday morning, he was less definite about whether she should be allowed to serve if elected.

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy ordered an investigation into possible criminal or civil penalties for Peltola’s campaign. Attorney General Todd Blanche accused Democrats of “cheating” on Fox News, House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer opened a congressional investigation, and Sen. Lisa Murkowski described a “culture of deception.”

Questions remain unresolved

The allegations raise legitimate questions about what happened, but there are no definitive answers yet. The article argues that recruiting candidates with names similar to an opponent is different in scale from more serious electoral misconduct.

The tactic is known as ballot-stacking and has a long history in American politics. A 1946 account of John F. Kennedy’s first congressional primary involved two candidates named Joseph Russo. The article says both parties have used ballot-stacking without it bringing Justice Department prosecutions or federal investigations.

Both parties have used tactics

The article also describes Republican efforts to help Kanye West qualify for the 2020 presidential ballot and to boost Cornel West’s independent campaign in 2024, both as attempts to improve Trump’s prospects. It characterizes these efforts as campaign mischief rather than a major electoral scandal.