Trump Demands Alaska Candidates Prosecuted Over Alleged Ballot Scheme

US President Donald Trump has called for the removal and prosecution of two candidates in Alaska’s Senate race, accusing Democrats of orchestrating a scheme to mislead voters. Trump’s demand on Wednesday followed a New York Times investigation into efforts by people linked to Democrat Mary Peltola’s campaign to recruit candidates who could draw support from Republican Senator Dan Sullivan, including a retired teacher with the same name. The November 3 vote could significantly impact control of the US Senate.

In posts on his Truth Social platform on Wednesday, Trump alleged election fraud involving Peltola and Daniel J Sullivan Jr, demanding their removal from the ballot and prosecution. He characterized the alleged operation as “Voter Fraud at the Highest Level” and accused Democrats of perjury. The Times noted that recruiting candidates to split an opponent’s vote, a practice known as ballot stacking, is generally legal and has been employed by both parties in Alaska.

The two individuals named Sullivan are among four candidates in Alaska’s ranked-choice election. In this system, voters rank candidates by preference, with votes transferred if a first choice is eliminated. The ballot lists the sitting senator as an incumbent Republican, while his namesake states he entered the race independently.

The New York Times reported that the effort began in 2025 when a Peltola aide was tasked with identifying Alaskans named Dan Sullivan. Citing interviews and messages, the report indicated that Peltola’s advisers and officials from the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee discussed strategies to alter the ballot. The newspaper identified Democratic operative Jerid Kurtz as a recruiter who approached potential candidates, sometimes using an alias. It also reported that another Democrat withdrew after being approached by Kurtz, creating an opening for Republican Gerald Heikes, who also stated he was encouraged to run.

Peltola’s former campaign manager, Elisa Rios, told The Times that Peltola was aware of the operation but not directly involved. Rios later attempted to retract her statements, but the newspaper stated that other evidence corroborated its reporting. Peltola’s campaign and the Democratic campaign committee have denied recruiting candidates, with her campaign asserting that political pressure from Washington would not deter her candidacy.

Senator Sullivan accused Peltola of misleading voters in comments made on Fox News on Wednesday. The Times reiterated that recruiting candidates to divide an opponent’s support is generally legal and has been a tactic used by both major parties in Alaska. The state’s Supreme Court affirmed the retired teacher’s right to compete in June.

Separately, Trump’s Justice Department had sued Alaska the previous week, seeking to delay the certification of election results if Senator Sullivan lost and votes for his namesake could have influenced the outcome. Alaska has requested the court dismiss the case, contending it lacks legal merit.