Sen. Ron Johnson, a Republican from Wisconsin, posted a video on X in which he described an alleged Democratic effort in Alaska’s U.S. Senate race as a “disgusting scheme” intended to confuse voters. The post cites reports that operatives linked to candidate Mary Peltola recruited a second man, Dan Sullivan, to appear on the ballot alongside incumbent Sen. Dan S. Sullivan. Online users reacted after the post went up, with many replies questioning Johnson’s own past role in election challenges and accusing him of hypocrisy.
In the clip, Johnson says, “This is disgusting what the Democrats have done,” and states, “Every American should want to restore confidence in integrity elections. Every elected official should certainly do that. Democrats, they want to cheat.” The footage shows him speaking from a remote location during the interview; it does not include footage of the Alaska candidates or the ballot itself.
The post text echoes the interview, calling the reported effort “a disgusting scheme to confuse voters in Alaska.” According to a New York Times investigation, staff linked to Democratic candidate Mary Peltola and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee worked to recruit additional candidates, including a retired teacher named Dan J. Sullivan, in an effort described internally as a ballot-composition project.
Peltola has said, “I knew nothing about any other candidates on the ballot except for me and the incumbent. … I am not interested in tricking voters.”
Alaska’s ballot lists the incumbent as “Sullivan, Dan S. (Registered Republican) Incumbent” and the other candidate as “Sullivan, Daniel J. Jr.” with no party designation. The state uses ranked-choice voting, which allows voters to rank more than one candidate.
Both parties have used this kind of ballot-stacking, and it is generally considered legal, though Alaska’s governor ordered an investigation and the Justice Department has examined related issues. Courts previously ruled that Dan J. Sullivan could remain on the ballot.
Responses to the Post and Alaska Reports
Some commenters agreed with Johnson’s criticism of Alaska. One wrote, “Have to cheat.” Another said, “That’s why the Peltola was paying employees to find another Dan Sullivan to skew the ballot and interfere with ranked choice? You Democrats, are vile, disgusting humans.”
A third added, “Man!!! If that ain’t the truth.”
Others rejected the message and focused on Johnson’s own record. One replied, “You have a lot of nerve, Mr. Johnson. You played a role and endorsed the fake elector scheme. You are a fraud and should be held accountable.”
Another wrote, “From the party that tried to overturn an election with fake electors!!”
A further comment stated, “Remember when you were doing that fake elector conspiracy in 2021? That was actual fraud and a very clumsy attempt to cheat on an election.”
Another noted, “Republicans invented ‘ballot stacking’ and have used it for decades to split the vote all over the country. The GOP, where every accusation is a confession.”
For now, Johnson’s comments have become part of the broader discussion around the Alaska Senate race. The exchange adds one more to the ongoing debate over election tactics and claims of voter confusion in the contest.
