A recent investigative piece by The New York Times on Alaska’s U.S. Senate race has ignited controversy, with local observers accusing the outlet of overlooking critical aspects of the campaign—including a convicted felon on the ballot and the state’s stark economic realities.
The podcast episode, hosted by Michael Barbaro, alleged that Democratic candidate Mary Peltola may have orchestrated a ballot challenge by running a decoy candidate, Daniel J. Sullivan Jr., whose name closely resembles that of incumbent Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan. While the report highlighted the name similarity—a detail long known to Alaskans—the investigation failed to address broader anomalies in the race.
One glaring omission was the presence of Eric Hafner, a New York convict serving a 20-year federal sentence, who is also on the ballot as a Democratic nominee. Hafner, who has never set foot in Alaska, poses a tangible threat to independent candidate Bill Hill’s chances in the upcoming House race, potentially siphoning off votes. Yet the Times piece made no mention of him. Local residents, including former teachers and commercial fishermen, have long recognized Hafner’s mother, Kitty Hafner, as a past decoy candidate in Alaska’s political landscape.
The podcast also misrepresented fuel costs in remote Alaskan communities, claiming gas prices reach $8 a gallon—when in reality, some Arctic villages pay upwards of $26.80. Such inaccuracies underscore a broader pattern of outsiders underestimating Alaska’s complexities, critics argue.
Peltola, who won her 2022 congressional seat amid fierce competition—including against former Gov. Sarah Palin and a satirical “Santa Claus” candidate—has faced relentless scrutiny. Yet the Times report overlooked her historic victory as Alaska’s first Native American congresswoman, framing her instead through a narrow lens of alleged ballot manipulation.
Local writer Seth Kantner, a commercial fisherman and author, called out the reporting for its superficiality, noting that Alaskans are well aware of the Sullivan name confusion and Hafner’s role. “We’re not stupid,” he wrote. “We know when someone is trying to derail a race.” The criticism extends to the podcast’s portrayal of Sullivan Jr., who reportedly welcomed the Times team warmly—only to be vilified in the final piece.
Alaska’s political landscape is often dismissed by outsiders as chaotic, but residents emphasize its generosity and resilience. The Times’ oversight, critics say, reflects a broader failure to grasp the state’s unique dynamics—where decoy candidates, economic hardship, and deep local knowledge shape elections in ways that don’t fit conventional narratives.
