More than three dozen Democratic lawmakers and governors are refusing to comment on allegations of voter manipulation in Alaska’s Senate race, even as many of them have spent years warning that Republicans pose a fundamental threat to American democracy.
According to Fox News, the outlet reached out to 42 leading Democrats who endorsed Alaska Democratic candidate Mary Peltola in her race against incumbent Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan. The question was straightforward: would they denounce the alleged effort to place another candidate — also named Dan Sullivan — on the ballot in what critics say was designed to confuse voters and potentially siphon votes from the Republican incumbent?
The response was uniform silence.
The Controversy
The New York Times reported earlier this week that aides to Peltola’s campaign helped recruit the second Dan Sullivan to run in the race. The allegation has sparked concerns about electoral manipulation, particularly given Alaska’s ranked-choice voting system where even a small number of confused voters could potentially affect the outcome.
Peltola’s campaign has denied any involvement in recruiting the alternative candidate.
Last week, the Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Alaska election officials seeking to delay certification of the Senate election results if the incumbent Sullivan loses. The DOJ argues that votes cast for the decoy candidate could have altered the outcome. Legal experts have told Fox News, however, that the lawsuit faces serious obstacles because it attempts to infer voter intent from anonymous ballots and potentially encroaches on state sovereignty over elections.
The Silence Versus the Rhetoric
The lack of response from Democrats creates a notable contrast with their frequent public statements about protecting democratic institutions. Fox News highlighted the disconnect between past rhetoric and present silence among several high-profile lawmakers.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, who declared in 2022 that “voter suppression is poisonous, it is toxic to our democracy,” did not respond to the inquiry. Neither did Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut, who argued in April 2025 that “those of us who believe that the threat to democracy is urgent” need to “act like it.”
Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey, who said in December 2016 that “protecting American democracy is a calling far higher than party politics,” also remained silent on the Alaska matter.
Even Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania — who has broken with his party on several high-profile issues in recent months and cultivated a reputation as an independent voice — declined to comment, according to Fox News.
Who Was Asked
The list of non-respondents includes some of the Democratic Party’s most prominent voices on voting rights and democratic integrity.
Among the senators contacted were Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York, Adam Schiff of California, Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, Mark Kelly of Arizona, Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, and Elisa Slotkin of Michigan.
House members who received inquiries but did not respond included Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, Rep. Pramila Jayapal of Washington, Rep. George Whitesides of California, and Rep. Chris Pappas of New Hampshire. Notably, Pappas is himself running for Senate against New Hampshire incumbent John E. Sununu.
Fox News also contacted several Democratic governors, including Wes Moore of Maryland, Gavin Newsom of California, and Roy Cooper of North Carolina, the latter of whom is running for Senate. None provided comment.
Former Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown, who is attempting to reclaim his seat against John Husted, also did not respond.
Mary Peltola herself, the Democratic candidate at the center of the controversy, declined to comment when contacted by Fox News.
One Exception
According to Fox News, only one Democrat has publicly condemned the alleged tactic. Iowa’s Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand told the outlet last Sunday that “both parties are doing it and neither party should be doing it,” characterizing such efforts as “manipulating the political system.”
Sand’s comment suggests that similar tactics may have been employed by candidates from both parties in other races, though he did not provide specific examples.
The Broader Context
The Alaska situation has become the latest flashpoint in ongoing debates about election integrity, voting rights, and what constitutes legitimate versus illegitimate electoral tactics. Democrats have frequently accused Republicans of voter suppression through measures such as voter ID requirements and restrictions on mail-in voting, while Republicans have raised concerns about ballot security and election administration.
The “decoy candidate” allegation adds another dimension to these debates. If proven true, it would represent a form of electoral manipulation distinct from traditional concerns about voter access or ballot counting — instead focusing on deliberately confusing voters through candidate naming.
The silence from Democratic leaders on this specific allegation has drawn criticism from those who argue it reveals a double standard in how political parties approach questions of democratic integrity. Critics contend that concerns about threats to democracy should apply equally regardless of which party’s tactics are in question.
As the DOJ lawsuit proceeds and Alaska’s election results remain in limbo, the political pressure on Democrats to address the allegations may intensify. Whether any of the 42 lawmakers and governors contacted by Fox News will eventually break their silence remains to be seen.
Source: www.breitbart.com — https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2026/10/31/report-dozens-of-democrats-silent-on-alaska-election-rigging-while-calling-gop-a-threat-to-democracy/