CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss faced what insiders described as "significant resistance" from staff members during a recent editorial meeting concerning the Alaska ballot scandal. The controversy centers on a report by The New York Times alleging that Democrats plotted to recruit a candidate with the same name as incumbent Republican Senator Dan Sullivan to create voter confusion and aid Democratic candidate Mary Peltola.
During the meeting, Weiss characterized the situation as a "scandal." However, several CBS News staffers reportedly pushed back, suggesting that such tactics are common in politics and that Republicans have engaged in similar maneuvers. Margaret Brennan, moderator of "Face the Nation," allegedly pointed to New Hampshire Senate candidate John Sununu, suggesting potential voter confusion with his brother, former Governor Chris Sununu. Political correspondent Ed O'Keefe reportedly stated on "CBS Mornings" that while potentially a "dirty trick," the Alaska situation was not illegal and had precedents, citing a 2016 Alaska Senate race where a candidate with the same name as Senator Lisa Murkowski ran.
One CBS staffer, however, told Fox News Digital that colleagues like Brennan and O'Keefe were providing context and that the discussion was "healthy" and "good." This individual denied that there was any contention. Nevertheless, Weiss urged staff to pursue stories like the one detailed by The New York Times, calling it a "great story" and a "learning moment."
The New York Times report detailed how a staffer for Mary Peltola allegedly received instructions in the summer of 2025 to find individuals named Dan Sullivan in Alaska. The aim was to persuade another Dan Sullivan to run for Senate, potentially diluting support for the incumbent. The report suggests this effort was broader than just recruiting one individual and involved coaxing other potential spoiler candidates to run. Alaska's Republican Governor Mike Dunleavy has since ordered an investigation into the matter.
Peltola's campaign has denied direct involvement in recruiting Daniel J. Sullivan Jr., the retired teacher who ran. Her former campaign manager, Elisa Rios, stated Peltola was "definitely aware" of the situation. Peltola herself has described the Times report as a "distraction" intended to "sell newspapers."
The Alaska ballot system, which utilizes ranked-choice voting, and the circumstances surrounding the recruitment of Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. have drawn scrutiny. The Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Alaska seeking to block the certification of election results if the incumbent senator lost and votes cast for the other Sullivan could have altered the outcome.
A spokesperson for CBS News declined to comment on the internal meeting or the coverage of the Alaska ballot scandal.