NYT Report: Democrats Plotted 'Ballot Composition Project' in Alaska Senate Race

A report from The New York Times has revealed allegations of a Democratic scheme to influence Alaska's Senate race by recruiting multiple individuals named Dan Sullivan to run against the incumbent.

The project, reportedly titled the "Ballot Composition Project," involved a "mysterious Midwestern operative" who allegedly traveled across Alaska seeking people with the name Dan Sullivan, according to interviews, text messages, and documents cited by the Times.

The incumbent, referred to by former President Donald Trump as the "real" Dan Sullivan, is Dan S. Sullivan. The report indicates that a retired teacher named Dan J. Sullivan, whose middle initial differs, announced his candidacy in the spring. Republicans have labeled him "Decoy Dan," alleging he is a liberal operative.

The Peltola campaign has denied involvement in the candidacy of Dan J. Sullivan. However, the Times investigation suggests that Peltola's team, along with senior staffers from the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC), were involved in the effort to recruit multiple individuals named Dan Sullivan to potentially boost Peltola's chances.

According to the report, the Democrats also considered establishing a new political party to appeal to Republican voters.

Earlier this month, Trump ordered the Justice Department to sue Alaska to block the certification of its Senate election results if the incumbent lost. Trump publicly stated his role in the lawsuit, accusing Democrats of fielding a rival named Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. to sway votes away from the sitting senator.

Vice President J.D. Vance echoed these accusations, calling the alleged tactic "the definition of electoral fraud."

A spokesperson for the Sullivan campaign stated, "Not one player in this operation has acted in good faith with Alaska voters. Mary Peltola and her campaign have spent months gaslighting Alaskans, denying a scheme they were running all along."

Trump had previously traveled to Alaska to support Sullivan's re-election bid. During a campaign rally, he reiterated a promise to give $5,000 to every adult American if Republicans retained control of Congress, stipulating the money must be spent within the United States. This promise, dubbed the "Trump Dividend," has been made at previous events. While some supporters expressed reservations about such "bribes," a similar payout of $1,776 was made to military officials in December 2025 under a "warrior dividend."