Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) on Wednesday called on the Department of Justice to investigate the campaign of Democratic Senate candidate Mary Peltola over reports that aides and allies sought to place spoiler candidates on Alaska's ballot to siphon votes from Republican incumbent Sen. Dan Sullivan.
"There's no doubt that Mary Peltola has been, at least her campaign and the Democrat apparatus, they are involved in collusion," Scott told NewsNation's Katie Pavlich. "They've been colluding together in a coordinated effort to deceive the voters."
Scott asserted the alleged scheme constitutes "a criminal offense" and urged federal prosecutors to examine the evidence. "I'm hoping that the DOJ will take a serious look at all of the evidence that leads in that direction," he said. "And factually speaking, when you have the receipt, so to speak, it leads you somewhere. I hope that the DOJ takes all the time necessary to prosecute and investigate this situation."
The South Carolina Republican accused Democrats of "deceiving voters, pretending to be what they're not" in races nationwide, citing Texas Senate candidate James Talarico and South Carolina Senate candidate Annie Andrews as examples. He argued that Peltola's on-air persona contradicts the alleged behind-the-scenes maneuvers. "But now, as a candidate on TV, you would think that she's something else," Scott said. "And so having the facts are really important. But in Alaska, that's criminal. And I think that there should be a serious investigation into that."
The New York Times reported Wednesday that Peltola campaign aides and lawyers, along with staffers from the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC), were involved in pushing other candidates, including Alaska Senate candidate Daniel J. Sullivan. The Peltola campaign and DSCC have denied any involvement. This development has escalated GOP attacks on Peltola in the final days before the election.
Scott's comments follow former President Trump's claim that Peltola's campaign perpetrated "such a terrible scheme" and should be barred from running, labeling it "ELECTION FRAUD." Trump pointed to Daniel J. Sullivan's name appearing on the ballot alongside incumbent Sen. Dan Sullivan (R) and suggested Democrats should face prosecution. The DOJ last week filed a lawsuit against Alaska over the two Sullivans' names on the ballot, arguing the presence of a candidate with the same name as the sitting lawmaker would give Peltola an unfair advantage. Peltola on Sunday asked a federal judge to dismiss the lawsuit, with her lawyers telling Reuters the complaint was "wholly baseless."
Attorney General Todd Blanche has said the DOJ's lawsuit aims to ensure election officials "have the information necessary to make a determination as to whether Alaskan voters were confused or misled." Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy (R) announced late Wednesday that the state would open its own probe into whether the alleged recruitment efforts violate state law. This follows Sen. Lisa Murkowski's demand that Peltola answer for the ballot-stacking allegations, as the controversy continues to roil the state's political establishment.
The Alaska Senate race is one of the most closely watched contests this cycle, as Republicans seek to maintain their narrow control of Congress. The Cook Political Report rates the race as a toss-up, with The Hill's election partner Decision Desk HQ forecasting a 61-percent probability that Peltola wins. The outcome could hinge on how voters perceive the alleged scheme, and whether the DOJ's involvement influences turnout.
Scott's call for a federal investigation adds to the mounting pressure on Peltola, who has denied any wrongdoing. The Peltola campaign has dismissed the allegations as a distraction, but the controversy shows no signs of abating. With early voting already underway, the political and legal battles over the ballot could shape the final result.
