U.S. Senate candidate Mary Peltola didn’t beat around the bush during a campaign event in Juneau on Thursday night.
Shortly after taking the stage at a packed Crystal Saloon, the Democrat denied involvement in recruiting a second Dan Sullivan in order to take votes away from the Republican incumbent.
“I just want to clear the air. I knew nothing about any other candidates on the ballot except for me and the incumbent. That is all I have ever known about. I am not interested in tricking voters. I know I can beat Dan Sullivan,” she said.
The Thursday rally in the capital city came one day after the New York Times published a story looking into Democratic efforts to stack Alaska’s ballot. The investigation follows other Times reporting this fall that examined Peltola, her campaign, and how she treats staffers.
“I just feel like I’m dodging bullets left and right, you know, with all the nonsense. And when did the New York Times become the National Enquirer? Inquiring minds want to know,” she said.
Following the recent story, President Donald Trump on Wednesday called for Peltola to be criminally charged. Trump had previously directed the Justice Department to sue to block the state from certifying election results if Peltola wins.
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy on Wednesday also ordered an investigation into whether the alleged scheme to recruit a second Dan Sullivan violates state law.
Peltola said “despite all of the smears and attacks,” she was proud to be in the race because of her supporters – in the room and across the state.
One of those supporters is Juneau resident Sharon Love. Standing outside the Crystal Saloon, Love said she’s glad Peltola addressed the allegations in the Times article, which, she admits, she didn’t fully read.
“I skimmed through it. I do subscribe to the New York Times. I was ready to unsubscribe,” Love said, chuckling. “But I came to hear what she had to say, and so I was happy with her answer, and I believe her that she wasn’t involved.”
Love referred to the article as “a lot of noise before the election.”
Juneau resident Cindy Spanyers had a similar sentiment.
“The New York Times story – it doesn’t address real critical issues, I don’t think,” she said, walking to her car. “Whether it’s affordability, or I’d still like to know more about Russian involvement with LNG.”
For Spanyers, the controversy is a distraction from issues she says are a lot more important, like the cost of living, human rights, and Alaska’s energy future.
Those are among the issues competing for voters’ attention as Election Day approaches on Tuesday.
