President Trump on Wednesday urged Alaska Democratic Senate candidate Mary Peltola to withdraw from the race and face criminal prosecution after reports said her allies helped recruit a candidate who shares the name of her Republican opponent.
“Mary Peltola should resign from the race. I think she should be prosecuted criminally for what she did,” Trump told reporters at Joint Base Andrews before departing for Ohio, where he planned to campaign for Republicans.
Trump also said any Peltola allies involved in recruiting Daniel J. Sullivan to challenge incumbent Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan should face criminal charges.
It remains unclear which law could support such a prosecution. Daniel Sullivan satisfied the legal requirements to run, and Alaska’s election system allows four candidates to advance from the primary to the general election. Both Sullivans and Peltola are on next week’s ballot.
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The New York Times reported that senior Peltola aides were involved in the recruitment effort. Peltola had initially denied knowing about it, but a report published Wednesday said she was “definitely aware” of the scheme.
“They said they didn’t do it, and they did do it, and they got caught. And in fact, it was a plot by the Democrat Party, and frankly, they should be, I think they should be prosecuted. To me, that’s voter fraud at the highest level,” Trump said.
Sen. Dan S. Sullivan is listed on the ballot as the incumbent and is identified as a registered Republican. Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. does not have either designation.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.