Alaska's Senate race has taken a dramatic turn as former Rep. Mary Peltola (D) faces accusations that her campaign recruited "spoiler" candidates to undermine incumbent Sen. Dan Sullivan (R). The controversy has intensified in the final days before Tuesday's midterm elections, with Republicans demanding investigations and the state's GOP governor ordering a probe.
The allegations, first reported by multiple outlets, claim Peltola's team sought to insert look-alike candidates into the race to siphon votes from Sullivan under Alaska's ranked-choice voting system. Sullivan, a Republican seeking a second term, has seized on the reports, calling them "a brazen attempt to rig the election."
Peltola has denied any wrongdoing, but the damage may already be done. A recent poll shows the race tightening, with Sullivan holding a narrow lead. Political analysts say the controversy could be decisive in a state that leans Republican but has shown willingness to elect Democrats, as Peltola proved in her 2022 special election victory.
The Hill's senior vice president of editorial content, Bill Sammon, and Decision Desk HQ's chief elections analyst, Geoffrey Skelley, will discuss the implications in a live Q&A scheduled for noon EDT. They will also break down the final forecast for Tuesday's high-stakes elections, which will determine control of Congress.
Republican leaders have escalated attacks, with Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) urging the Department of Justice to investigate the alleged scheme. Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy (R) has also ordered a state-level probe, while former President Trump has accused Alaska Democrats of "voter fraud at the highest level." Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), a frequent Trump critic, has joined the chorus, demanding Peltola answer for what she called "ballot-stacking" allegations.
Peltola's campaign has dismissed the accusations as a "distraction" and pointed to her record of bipartisanship. In a statement, she said, "I have always run clean campaigns, and I will continue to focus on the issues that matter to Alaskans." However, the controversy has overshadowed her policy messaging and could dampen turnout among key Democratic constituencies.
Meanwhile, the broader midterm landscape remains uncertain. With control of the Senate and House at stake, both parties are making final pushes. Trump and Vice President Vance are fanning out across the South in a last-minute campaign blitz, while Democrats are banking on issues like abortion and student loan relief to drive turnout.
In Alaska, the outcome may hinge on how voters view the spoiler allegations. "If independents and moderate Republicans believe Peltola tried to game the system, she could lose significant support," Skelley noted. "But if they see it as a partisan attack, it might rally her base."
The live discussion will also address the potential impact of the controversy on other races, as well as the legal battles over election certification in several states. As Tuesday approaches, the political world is bracing for a volatile finale to a contentious campaign season.
