3 minPolitics
Democrats Stay Silent on Alleged Alaska Voter Confusion Scheme
More than forty Democratic lawmakers and governors who backed Mary Peltola have not commented on an alleged plan to confuse voters and cost Senator Dan Sullivan his seat.
Numerous prominent Democrats who have for years warned about threats to democracy have so far remained silent after the New York Times reported on an alleged attempt to confuse voters in Alaska. Dozens of lawmakers and governors who supported Democratic Senate candidate Mary Peltola did not respond to Fox News Digital's questions about whether they would condemn the conduct.
According to the Times, staff members of Peltola's campaign helped recruit a man named Dan Sullivan as a candidate. The aim was to draw votes away from Republican incumbent Dan Sullivan. Peltola's campaign denies any involvement. Fox News Digital said it contacted 42 Democratic lawmakers and governors who had supported Peltola. At the time of publication, none had responded. The Times based its reporting on text messages and interviews with former campaign staff.
The reticence stands in stark contrast to earlier statements. Senator Richard Blumenthal said in 2022 that voter suppression is "toxic" and "poisonous to our democracy." His colleague Chris Murphy argued in April 2025 that anyone who considers the threat to democracy urgent must act accordingly. Cory Booker said in December 2016 that protecting American democracy is "a higher calling than partisan politics." None of these senators responded to the request about the Alaska matter. Senator John Fetterman also remained silent.
The Justice Department filed a lawsuit against Alaska on October 22. It aims to delay certification of the Senate election result should Sullivan lose and votes for the other Sullivan have been able to change the outcome. An investigation into whether voter confusion played a role is ongoing. Legal experts across the political spectrum had previously told Fox News Digital that the case faces considerable hurdles, including the difficulty of determining voter intent from anonymous ballots and the states' sovereignty over their elections.
The governor of Alaska has also ordered an investigation. Among the Democratic politicians Fox News Digital contacted were Senators Adam Schiff, Chuck Schumer and Mark Kelly, as well as representatives such as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Former Senator Sherrod Brown, who is seeking to regain his seat, and Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford were also asked for comment. Governors Wes Moore and Gavin Newsom, as well as former Governor Roy Cooper, were contacted as well. Peltola's campaign also did not respond.
There is one exception: Rob Sand, the Democratic gubernatorial candidate in Iowa, told Fox News on Sunday, "both parties do it, and no party should do it." He described such efforts as manipulation of the political system.
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