President Donald Trump has called on Democratic Alaska Senate candidate Mary Peltola to withdraw from the race and face criminal prosecution following a report alleging that people connected to her campaign discussed recruiting a candidate named Dan Sullivan to compete against Republican incumbent Sen. Dan Sullivan. Speaking to reporters on October 28, Trump condemned the alleged strategy, declaring that Peltola “should resign from the race” and that those involved should be prosecuted. The controversy intensified after The New York Times published a report based on text messages describing discussions among Peltola campaign aides about finding candidates who shared the incumbent senator’s name. The effort reportedly led to Daniel J. Sullivan Jr., a retired teacher who is now on Alaska’s November 3 Senate ballot alongside the Republican senator and other candidates. Trump characterized the reported actions as election fraud, arguing that two candidates with the same name could confuse voters and undermine confidence in the electoral process.

The allegations have triggered broader scrutiny as Alaska’s Senate contest could influence control of the chamber, but key questions about responsibility and potential legal violations remain unresolved. Peltola’s campaign has denied involvement with either Sullivan’s campaign, while Daniel J. Sullivan has also denied being recruited by Peltola’s team or having contact with the campaign. Alaska’s Supreme Court previously allowed the second Sullivan to remain eligible for the race after state election officials questioned the circumstances surrounding his candidacy. On October 29, Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy ordered an investigation into whether the reported conduct violated state law and warranted criminal charges or civil action. Trump’s demands therefore come amid an ongoing political and legal dispute, rather than a final determination that Peltola committed a crime. The investigation’s findings and any subsequent legal proceedings will be central to determining whether the reported campaign activity violated election law or constituted a controversial but lawful political tactic.