Dispute in Alaska, with two candidates named Dan Sullivan on the ballot, could decide control of the Senate

Fox News presenter Brian Kilmeade said that an episode revealed by the New York Times in the Senate race in Alaska is a "legitimate scandal" and that he could decide the balance of power in the House. According to him, the state's ballot features two candidates named Dan Sullivan.

The analysis was made on the program "Fox & Friends", when commenting on Fox News' ranking of forces for the Chamber and the Senate. According to the program, polls indicate that Democrats are favorites to sweep the House, while the fight for the Senate is tighter.

Regarding Alaska, Kilmeade said that, according to the newspaper's report, the Democratic Party and the campaign of the candidate identified only as Mary had sought, about a year ago, another Dan Sullivan to dilute votes. In the presenter's version, the candidate knew about the plan and they found a man who said he would do it if he helped Mary. He stated that there was no campaign. The transcription does not allow confirming the details of the newspaper's investigation, and these points are the presenter's responsibility.

Name repeated on the ballot

Kilmeade said the second Dan Sullivan's name appears last on the ballot and that there is "a different Dan L. Sullivan." For him, whoever decides a race in this way "is creating something that can define the balance of power in the Senate."

The presenter also cited a Siena survey, which, according to him, “leans too far to the left”. He recalled that another candidate would be ahead and that an opponent appeared up to three points behind in all polls. The excerpts of the transcript about these candidacies are fragmented, which limits the precise identification of each one.

Kilmeade countered those trying to minimize the case as yet another controversy involving Donald Trump. "You can't change the ballot at this point," he said, adding that the New York Times would have proved those critics wrong.

Map of the Senate and press coverage

In the general panorama, the presenter observed that Georgia, previously seen as favorable to Jon Ossoff, shows the race for state government leaning towards the Republican Party. According to him, Ossoff tries to appear moderate, but he wouldn't be. In North Carolina, he said Whatley hadn't come within six points of Cooper in months, and that Tillis would have a difficult time against his opponent. In Michigan, he stated that he had not seen research with Mike Rogers at the helm.

Kilmeade also recalled that, in 2022, a "red wave" was predicted because of 9% inflation under the Joe Biden administration, but the Roe v. Wade changed the situation and resulted in a narrow majority for the Republicans. According to him, House Speaker Mike Johnson says on and off camera that he didn't feel a wave forming.

The presenter also criticized the journalistic coverage, saying that he does not see positive stories about Republicans. He also predicted Ken Paxton's victory in Texas, citing a five-point rise in the polls.

What to watch out for

Senate control defines the ability to approve or block projects on taxes and public spending, central topics for those who follow the market. The dispute in Alaska, according to Fox's assessment, illustrates how the majority can be decided by minimal margins, and the result will only be known with the count.

Automatically translated from Portuguese.