Alaska Governor Orders Criminal Probe Into Senate Ballot Name Dispute

Alaska voters will see a new layer of scrutiny in their upcoming Senate race after Governor Mike Dunleavy ordered a state criminal investigation. The directive comes one day after President Donald Trump demanded a federal probe into whether Democratic nominee Mary Peltola’s campaign orchestrated a specific ballot strategy. The core issue involves a second candidate named Dan Sullivan appearing on the ranked choice ballot alongside Republican incumbent Sen. Dan Sullivan.

Gov. Dunleavy posted his directive on social media early Thursday. The move responds to revelations that Peltola’s team discussed recruiting an individual with the same name as the Republican senator. The New York Times obtained text messages showing campaign members weighing this tactic. They ultimately selected a retired schoolteacher named Dan J. Sullivan, who is now one of four candidates on the general election ballot.

President Trump called for the criminal prosecution of Peltola and the other Sullivan on Wednesday. He stated, “I think they should be prosecuted,” while addressing questions about the newspaper’s report. The president had previously directed the Department of Justice to sue to block certification of the race if Peltola were to win. House Speaker Mike Johnson described the situation on Fox News as “an evil tactic” designed to confuse voters.

Peltola reacted to the growing controversy during a campaign stop on Wednesday. She suggested the media report was a “distraction” from substantive issues, specifically citing Sen. Sullivan’s support of the war in Iran. The race is one of several Senate contests expected to determine which party controls the chamber for the remainder of Trump’s term.

Legal experts note that parties often support extra candidates to pull votes from rivals, a practice with historical precedent. In Ohio’s Senate race, Republicans have tied efforts to boost a socialist candidate to draw votes from Democrat Sherrod Brown. If state courts allow such arrangements, federal officials generally have no role in challenging the final results.

In related midterm developments, U.S. District Judge David O. Carter rejected a Trump administration request to stop California from processing ballots for up to 20,000 people alleged to be noncitizens. The judge warned that segregating votes would “wreak havoc” on the election. More than 3.7 million Californians have already cast ballots. The Justice Department said it would immediately appeal the decision.

Labor data released Thursday showed initial unemployment claims slid to 194,000, the lowest level since mid-July. This suggests layoffs remain low, though hiring has been slow. Employers added an average of 68,000 jobs per month this year, including just 29,000 in September. That figure contrasts with 2025, when monthly job creation averaged only 9,700.

Inflation remains a central concern for voters. Consumer prices rose 3.6% in September compared to a year earlier, up from 3.4% in August. Monthly prices climbed 0.5%, the highest increase since May. Oil prices remain above $100 a barrel following the Iran war, keeping gas prices near $4.25 per gallon. This stands in sharp contrast to the president’s campaign promise of gas below $2.

In Wisconsin, Democratic gubernatorial candidate David Crowley joined fans celebrating the Milwaukee Brewers’ World Series win. As county executive, Crowley helped negotiate a 2023 deal for public funding to repair the stadium, ensuring the team stays through 2050. His opponent, Rep. Tom Tiffany, also celebrated the victory, referencing former announcer Bob Uecker. A parade is scheduled for Friday in Milwaukee.

In New Hampshire, Republican John Sununu cited former Sen. Susan Collins as a model for opposing President Trump on key issues while remaining effective. Sununu is running to regain the seat he lost in 2008 against Democrat Chris Pappas. Collins, facing her own challenger, has broken with the president in the past but remains a target of criticism from both sides.