Alaska’s U.S. Senate race has become embroiled in controversy after a Democratic candidate with the same name as the Republican incumbent, Sen. Dan Sullivan, appeared on the ballot. The state’s governor has ordered an investigation into the issue, while President Donald Trump has called for the candidate, Mary Peltola, to be prosecuted and threatened to sue to block the results if she wins a close election. The U.S. Department of Justice reportedly issued new subpoenas as part of a criminal investigation into the scandal.
The situation mirrors a similar controversy in Washington state during the 2024 gubernatorial race. At that time, three-term Attorney General Bob Ferguson, the odds-on favorite, faced challenges from two other candidates named Bob Ferguson, who had no political experience but were recruited to act as spoilers against him. Ferguson argued that the same names appearing alongside his on the primary ballot could mislead voters. His campaign sent cease-and-desist letters to the other Bobs and threatened to have them criminally prosecuted if they did not withdraw.
Ferguson sought to differentiate the candidates on the ballot with their middle initials and occupations, and to have them appear consecutively. Secretary of State Steve Hobbs, a fellow Democrat, refused to change the candidates’ order, despite Ferguson’s wishes, which led to a “spirited conversation,” Hobbs said at the time. Mark Mullet, a Democratic state senator also running for governor, accused Ferguson of pressuring Hobbs to break state law over the ballot order. Ferguson insinuated Hobbs wouldn’t change the order because Hobbs had endorsed Mullet, which the election official denied.
In the meantime, the other Bob Fergusons dropped out before the filing deadline, mooting the matter. One cited harassment and the potential legal action for his decision to exit. The episode resulted in various nicknames, including Three Bob Night and the Three Bob Problem. Hobbs said Thursday that he tries not to think about the past.
