A Republican senator says a controversy is hurting his opponents and energizing voters as the campaign enters its final hours.
He argues that anger over an allegedly deceptive candidacy is translating into larger rally crowds and stronger motivation to vote.
On Monday, Sen. Dan Sullivan told Newsmax that reports about a similarly named candidate have fueled outrage against Democrat Mary Peltola.
Sullivan accused his opponent’s campaign and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of recruiting a candidate designed to confuse Republican voters.
The dispute involves Dan J. Sullivan, a Republican on the ballot, whose name closely resembles the incumbent, Dan S. Sullivan.
Sullivan portrayed that similarity as the central feature of a deliberate operation to siphon votes in Alaska’s ranked-choice election.
“They got a decoy candidate on the ballot.”
“The whole thing reeks of disdain for the Alaskan people, Alaskan voters,” he said.
Speaking on The Record With Greta Van Susteren, Sullivan said voters were responding angrily as he traveled across the state.
“I’ll tell you this, the Alaskan people are furious.”
“I am seeing giant turnout at my rallies,” he said.
Peltola schemed to trick Alaskans thinking we’re dumb. We’re smart. In order to ensure we hold onto this seat, rank:
1. Republican Incumbent Dan S. Sullivan
2. Republican Gerald Heikes
3. Daniel J. Sullivan, Jr
DO NOT RANK MARY PELTOLA https://t.co/y60nXx6Uwg
— Dan Sullivan (@DanSullivan_AK) October 29, 2026
The senator linked that enthusiasm to reporting about the alleged recruitment effort, presenting the controversy as a closing campaign issue.
His comments followed a judge’s decision that dismissed the Justice Department lawsuit seeking to intervene over the similarly named candidate.
The department had sued to prevent Alaska from certifying results if the incumbent lost, arguing that candidacy could confuse voters.
Sunday’s dismissal left Sullivan making his closing political argument while the legal effort described in the report had failed.
Sullivan said he was concentrating on winning reelection rather than personally directing the legal response to the allegations.
“I’m not focused on the legal issues right now.”
He also pointed to federal prosecutors, saying investigators would determine responsibility as the matter moved forward beyond the campaign.
“They’re going to find out who’s guilty, who’s not guilty going forward.”
Peltola has said she did not know about the alleged effort, according to Sullivan’s account of her public position.
“Peltola is saying she didn’t know anything about it,” Sullivan said Monday.
The Republican disputed suggestions that a New York Times report described her knowledge as limited, arguing it showed awareness instead.
“They said Peltola absolutely knew about this scheme,” Sullivan said.
He alleged that senior Peltola aides received updates from Schumer’s team and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee about the effort.
That claim places coordination among personnel at the center of Sullivan’s argument, alongside the appearance of the second Sullivan candidacy.
The senator described the controversy as extraordinary by Alaska standards, accusing his opponents of treating voters with contempt.
His criticism targeted both Peltola and Schumer, connecting the local ballot dispute to the Democratic effort to win Senate seats.
For Sullivan, the immediate campaign message was that voters should reject any attempt to exploit confusion surrounding his name.
“Do not let Schumer and Peltola steal your vote.”
“It’s exactly what they wanted to do.”
The senator’s appeal framed turnout as the practical response, urging supporters to make their preferences clear at the ballot box.
His remarks offered Republicans a closing argument built around election integrity, voter awareness, and resistance to alleged Democratic manipulation.
Sullivan also criticized Alaska news organizations, saying coverage had not adequately examined how the similarly named candidate reached the ballot.
“I don’t think they dug into this enough,” he said.
He suggested additional information could emerge, describing the known allegations as only the beginning of a larger story.
That assessment reinforced his demand for scrutiny even as he said his own attention remained fixed on the election.
The distinction in Sullivan’s remarks was between the campaign’s task of mobilizing voters and investigators’ work examining alleged wrongdoing, Newsmax reported.
His assertion that the controversy is increasing turnout reflects his observations and assessment; statewide turnout figures were not provided.
This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.
