Both Parties Look to Third-Party Candidates to Siphon Votes in Battlegrounds

An Alaska candidate sharing Dan Sullivan’s name has drawn attention as both parties seek to use lesser-known candidates to divert votes.

AI-written summary · The Chestnut Post · October 29, 2026 at 12:00 PM EDT · How we use AI

Both Parties Look to Third-Party Candidates to Siphon Votes in Battlegrounds

Both major parties are quietly trying to use little-known candidates to draw votes away from opponents in battleground contests, according to The New York Times.

In Alaska, a candidate who shares the name Dan Sullivan has attracted the most attention. Similar efforts are taking place in other battlegrounds.

The strategy is not new for either party, but third-party candidates could influence outcomes this year.

Originally reported by The New York Times. Read the full story at The New York Times

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