2026 elections: Trump heads to Florida as Peltola speaks on Alaska ballot controversy
Trump changes campaign schedule
Trump is set to hold a Friday rally in Daytona Beach, Florida, his adopted home state. He campaigned in South Carolina for Republican Sen. Darline Graham a day earlier.
Planned weekend rallies in Kansas and Iowa were canceled. The Republican National Committee said the party was “in a strong position.” Vice President JD Vance also canceled a scheduled Friday campaign trip to St. Cloud, Minnesota, according to a source familiar with the visit.
Alaska ballot dispute draws scrutiny
Democratic Senate candidate Mary Peltola denied that her team helped recruit Daniel J. Sullivan, whose name closely resembles that of Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan. She told supporters she was “not interested in tricking voters” and said she “knew nothing about” the other Daniel Sullivan.
The New York Times reported that Democratic operatives linked to Peltola’s campaign helped recruit him. Peltola’s team and national Democrats have strongly denied the allegations. Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy ordered a state investigation, while state and federal investigations are underway.
Ballot counting and other races
In Philadelphia, ballots are taken to a warehouse known as Philadelphia Election Headquarters. They remain secured behind locked cages until Election Day, when workers begin opening envelopes at 7 a.m.; ballots are then flattened, scanned and counted.
In Michigan, Democrat Abdul El-Sayed is set to appear with Rep. Haley Stevens in Detroit on Sunday. Stevens endorsed him after they faced off in the primary. In Ohio, a controversial attack ad by Republican governor candidate Vivek Ramaswamy is off the air after his campaign spent about a quarter of its initially stated planned investment.
Key points
- Trump plans a Florida rally after canceling campaign stops in Kansas and Iowa.
- Peltola denies involvement in recruiting Daniel J. Sullivan as investigations proceed.
- Philadelphia ballots are secured until workers begin processing them on Election Day.
- Michigan’s Haley Stevens plans to appear with Abdul El-Sayed in Detroit.