Supporters of Democratic Senate candidate Mary Peltola in Juneau, Alaska, told CBS News they still support her candidacy. Peltola is facing intense criticism over a New York Times report that agents aligned with his campaign were involved in Dan Sullivan’s recruiting effort. Peltola has denied any involvement or knowledge of the scheme. Democrat Bob Coghill said he believes the controversy could hurt Peltola if he makes late decisions. “I think it will hurt his chances,” Coghill said. “I think there are people who will see this as a little too clever, a little unfortunate, and it’s going to hurt some votes from the people who did it, especially last-minute voters.” Carter Bancroft, an independent voter who was headed to vote early for Peltola, said he didn’t like the political game, but questioned the pressure to prosecute Peltola. “It looks like a mess,” Bancroft said. “It seems possible, probable, to me that he is in this race to confuse things.” He added: “I don’t like the shenanigans that happen on both sides, the manipulation in various ways, that it seems like politicians are trying more to confuse people, in many ways, than on real issues. I feel like that’s possible here, and I don’t like it. On the other hand, it doesn’t seem like it, it might be in bad taste if that’s true.” But it’s not criminal.” Democrat Leah Haskell-Cummins called the allegations against Peltola “ridiculous” and “alarmist.” She said the ballot clearly distinguished between the two Dan Sullivans, making it unlikely that voters would be confused.
