Resurfaced Peltola 'criminal offense' quote comes back to haunt her after explosive report: 'Turn yourself in'
Alaska Democratic Senate candidate Mary Peltola is facing an onslaught of social media criticism over a resurfaced quote that critics say reeks of hypocrisy, following an explosive New York Times report this week.
"It should be a criminal offense to lie or mislead the electorate," Peltola says in the clip from August posted by the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) on Wednesday, shortly after the New York Times reported that her campaign was actively involved in a scheme to peel votes away from incumbent Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan by recruiting namesake and spoiler candidates.
Conservatives on social media quickly shared the post and suggested that Peltola should be investigated based on her own words.
"Your terms are acceptable," Townhall columnist Dustin Grage posted on X.
Former Rep. Mary Peltola, D-Alaska, a U.S. Senate candidate, missed Sunday campaign tour events and will be resting Monday before returning to the trail Tuesday for the final week before one of the most consequential Senate races on the midterm map. (Nathaniel Wilder/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
"Turn yourself in, Mary Peltola," conservative radio host Jason Rantz posted on X.
"Amen, Mary! " former Trump campaign national press secretary Hogan Gidley posted on X.
"Well, that’s ironic… ," Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., posted on X.
"Agree!!! " Fox News contributor Marc Thiessen posted on X.
ALASKA'S GOVERNOR ORDERS INVESTIGATION AFTER NYT REPORT ON ALLEGED DEM-LINKED SENATE ELECTION SCHEME
Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, and former Rep. Mary Peltola, a Democratic from Alaska and U.S. Senate candidate, right, raise paddles during the 2026 Alaska Fisheries Debate in Kodiak, Alaska, on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (Nathaniel Wilder/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
The New York Times report rocked the Alaska Senate race, which could determine the balance of power in the Senate, as questions now swirl over the legality of the campaign's alleged actions. The Department of Justice and the state of Alaska are both investigating the genesis of the alleged scheme to recruit Dan J. Sullivan into the race against incumbent Dan S. Sullivan.
Fox News learned Wednesday that federal prosecutors are conducting an "aggressive criminal investigation" into how the second Sullivan secured a spot on Alaska's ballot, according to two sources familiar with the probe. Investigators are preparing grand jury subpoenas and examining potential violations of voters' rights, with the investigation expected to continue beyond Election Day. The DOJ declined to comment.
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Mary Peltola speaks at a debate. (Becky Bohrer/Associated Press)
Alaska's Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy announced that he was ordering a probe into the matter.
"Today’s New York Times reporting reveals disturbing new evidence of an organized effort to manipulate Alaska’s elections by recruiting candidates — including one with the same name as an incumbent U.S. Senator — to deliberately confuse voters and misdirect their votes. The Alaska Division of Elections investigated these very concerns in June of this year. The new reporting substantially supports the Division’s findings," Dunleavy noted in a post on X.
"I am therefore directing the Department of Public Safety to investigate whether this scheme violated Alaska’s laws and whether criminal charges or civil action are warranted. The evidence will determine what happens next," the GOP governor continued.
The DOJ has issued dozens of subpoenas in the past 24 hours, reportedly looking into whether the campaign violated federal law by conspiring against the rights of voters. Others have argued the alleged actions are not illegal, and simply a "dirty trick" that is sometimes utilized in campaigns.
Fox News Digital reached out to Peltola's campaign for comment.
Peltola has dismissed reports of the alleged election scheme as "just another distraction," arguing that The New York Times’ report was solely purposed to "sell newspapers."
Her campaign also continues to assert innocence, previously telling Fox News in part that the Alaskans for Mary campaign "has no involvement with either Sullivan campaign."
Andrew Mark Miller is a reporter from Pasadena, California, who has been with Fox News Digital since 2021. You can reach him at AndrewMark.Miller@fox.com.
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