Revealed: Democrat operative at the center of Alaska Senate race scandal amid claims he recruited second Dan Sullivan to spoil Republican chances

Investigators have named Democratic operative Jerid Kurtz as an alleged go-between in efforts to recruit a second candidate named Dan Sullivan for Alaska’s Senate race. The claims have raised concerns about possible voter confusion and prompted investigations, as Democrat Mary Peltola seeks to unseat Republican incumbent Dan Sullivan.

The New York Times reported that Kurtz was introduced to former Peltola campaign staff in 2025 and was described as a specialist in secret ballot manoeuvres. He allegedly said he had found a Dan Sullivan willing to run to “help Mary” and also contacted another potential spoiler, Matthew Salisbury. The House Oversight Committee has asked Kurtz to testify on 6 November, while Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy has ordered an investigation; the article does not establish that Peltola’s campaign directed the alleged effort.