Sanders says what Democrats did in Alaska ‘seems to be pretty dumb’

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said what Democrats did in Alaska “seems to be pretty dumb” following reports the party participated in recruiting another candidate who shared the same name as incumbent Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) to dilute the GOP’s vote in the state.

“Yeah, frankly what the Democrats did in Alaska seems to be pretty dumb but…it’s not illegal,” Sanders said during an appearance on CBS’s “Face the Nation.”

“It’s what happens in every election. Right now in Ohio there is a gentleman who is running who is, as I understand it, don’t know him, claiming to be a socialist fine and Republican super PAC is putting money into his election,” the senator continued.

Sanders was referring to a Politico report that found “Enough Promises Ohio” – a Republican-aligned super PAC – spent over $2.7 million combined to boost candidate Greg Levy, a Party for Socialism and Liberation candidate, and oppose former Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) who is running to unseat incumbent Sen. John Husted (R-Ohio).

“So why in Ohio is a Republican right-wing super PAC funding a socialist? The answer is obviously obvious. They want to take votes away from Sherrod Brown. Is this a good thing to do? No, it is not a good thing to do. It’s a stupid thing to do,” he continued.

Host Margaret Brennan asked Sanders if there should be an investigation into the Alaskan matter.

“No, that’s a decision the federal government does not get involved in state elections,” he responded. “And you and you have a president who in fact denied that he lost the election in 2020 against Biden for him to be deciding what is a fair election or not is a little bit absurd. People of Alaska can make that decision themselves.”

Sander’s remarks follow Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.) telling Fox News earlier Sunday that there was a “ big possibility ” Peltola would not be seated even if she won Alaska’s Senate race.

The House Republican questioned if any laws had been broken GOP strategists previously told The Hill that ballot “stacking” is not illegal. It is a common practice, especially in Alaska’s unusual nonpartisan, top four voting system.

Comer, chair of the House Oversight Committee, launched a probe into Peltola’s involvement in the operation – scheduling transcribed interviews with both Elisa Rios, Peltola’s former campaign manager who The Times spoke with, and Jerid Kurtz, a Democratic operative.