Democrat Operative Accused of Recruiting 'Second Dan Sullivan' in Alaska Senate Race
An investigation alleges Jerid Kurtz acted as a go-between to place a decoy candidate on the ballot, potentially influencing the race between incumbent Dan Sullivan and challenger Mary Peltola.
A Democratic operative, Jerid Kurtz, is reportedly at the center of an alleged scheme to manipulate the Alaska Senate race by recruiting a second candidate named Dan Sullivan. The New York Times investigation suggests this tactic was intended to confuse voters and potentially benefit Democratic challenger Mary Peltola against incumbent Republican Senator Dan Sullivan. The report has prompted calls for an investigation from Republican lawmakers.
Kurtz, described as a behind-the-scenes campaign operative, allegedly acted as a liaison to find and recruit individuals to run under the name Dan Sullivan. According to the investigation, Kurtz informed staffers close to the Peltola campaign in early 2026 that he had found a Dan Sullivan willing to run to "help Mary." Kurtz also reportedly contacted other potential candidates under pseudonyms.
Kurtz's background includes serving as communications director for the Ohio Democratic Party and working on campaigns for Barack Obama and Senator Sherrod Brown. His resume also notes managing campaigns for Raphael Warnock, David Trone, and Anthony Brown.
The allegations have led to an investigation by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, which has requested Kurtz's testimony. Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy has also ordered an investigation into the campaign. The Justice Department has reportedly filed a lawsuit to block the certification of election results if Senator Sullivan loses due to the presence of the second Dan Sullivan on the ballot.
Senator Sullivan has accused Peltola and her campaign of a cover-up, while the Peltola campaign and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee have denied any involvement in recruiting candidates.
Mary Peltola herself has dismissed the New York Times investigation as a "distraction" and a means to sell newspapers. Some supporters of Peltola's campaign have argued that such tactics, if proven, do not necessarily violate election laws, citing historical campaign tactics of fielding similar-named candidates to confuse voters.
Kurtz reportedly deleted his social media accounts and the website for his firm, Wingspan Strategies, following the news of the investigation. The Times reported that Kurtz was introduced to Peltola's former campaign manager and chief of staff in the summer of 2025, where he was presented as a "specialist in secret ballot maneuvers."