Governor of California

A New York Times report alleges top aides to Alaska Democrat Mary Peltola searched voter rolls in 2025 for a resident named Dan Sullivan, hoping to recruit one to run against Republican incumbent Sen. Dan Sullivan and split his support under the state's ranked-choice system. The effort, reportedly run by operative Jerid Kurtz with DSCC coordination, found retired teacher Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. in Petersburg, who entered the race; both Sullivans now appear on the four-person ballot, distinguished by middle initial, "Jr.," party affiliation, and an "Incumbent" label. Peltola's campaign and the DSCC deny involvement, calling the report a "distraction," though a fired former campaign manager told the Times Peltola was "definitely aware."

Gov. Mike Dunleavy directed Alaska's Department of Public Safety to investigate whether the scheme violated state law, saying the report shows an "organized effort" to confuse voters. The order follows Trump's call for Peltola's prosecution and a DOJ lawsuit seeking to block certification of a Peltola win if Sullivan Jr. stays on the ballot. Dunleavy has since suggested the state could withhold or delay certifying the Senate results if Peltola wins, pending the probe's findings, and the House Oversight Committee has opened its own inquiry. Sullivan Jr. denies coordinating with Democrats, and the Alaska Supreme Court previously allowed him to remain on the ballot; a legal analyst notes recruiting a spoiler candidate, even if true, may not be illegal under Alaska law.

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy has directed the Department of Public Safety to investigate allegations that staff for Democratic Senate candidate Mary Peltola and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee recruited namesake challenger Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. to siphon votes from Republican incumbent Sen. Dan Sullivan. The probe follows New York Times reporting, partly based on a since-retracted account from Peltola's fired former campaign manager, Elisa Rios, describing an internal "ballot composition" effort allegedly involving Peltola's campaign lawyers and senior DSCC aides. The Peltola campaign and DSCC deny involvement, with Peltola calling the controversy "a distraction"; the retired Petersburg teacher also denies running at Democrats' behest, though he has acknowledged a history of backing Peltola and other Democrats.

President Trump called for Peltola's prosecution and removal from the ballot, and the Justice Department has issued fresh subpoenas to Democratic officials believed to be involved in the recruitment effort, building on an existing U.S. Attorney's Office inquiry into Daniel J. Sullivan dating back to summer. The DOJ has also sued to block certification if Sullivan narrowly loses, arguing the scheme amounts to a "conspiracy to undermine the integrity of the electoral process"; Alaska moved to dismiss that suit, calling it meritless, and a federal judge set an expedited schedule with a ruling possible within days. The Alaska Supreme Court previously rejected efforts to remove the challenger Sullivan from the ballot. Sen. Lisa Murkowski joined other Republicans condemning the alleged scheme as voters rank Sen. Sullivan, Peltola, Daniel J. Sullivan Jr., and Gerald Heikes on the Nov. 3 ballot.

Dunleavy has declined to commit to certifying the election if Peltola wins while the investigation is ongoing, saying any finding of illegal conduct "may in fact impact whether somebody is seated in the U.S. Senate" and that officials would weigh whether to involve Senate leadership. House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer has demanded testimony from operatives named in the reporting and threatened subpoenas of his own. Dunleavy's term ends Dec. 7, shortly after Alaska's target date for certifying results.

Candidates in Rhode Island's 2026 governor's race have spent about $9.9 million combined, making it the cheapest contest in inflation-adjusted terms since 2006 and well below the $14.8–$22.2 million range of the last three cycles. Democratic nominee Helena Foulkes accounts for roughly 69% of that spending at about $6.8 million, followed by Gov. Dan McKee, who lost the September primary to her, at nearly $2.6 million. Independent Ken Block and Republican nominee Aaron Guckian have spent far less. Analysts attribute the drop-off to a thin post-primary field, though outside spending by parties and unions is filling some of the gap and rising media costs continue to push overall campaign costs higher.

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy has directed the state's Department of Public Safety to investigate Democrat Mary Peltola's Senate campaign following a New York Times report alleging her team helped recruit a candidate, Daniel J. Sullivan Jr., sharing a name with her Republican rival, incumbent Sen. Dan Sullivan, to split his votes. The probe will examine whether the scheme violated state law. Peltola's campaign and the DSCC deny involvement with the decoy candidate; Peltola called the report a "distraction." President Trump demanded prosecution and removal of both from the ballot, while Vice President Vance called for a fraud investigation. The Alaska Supreme Court previously ruled Sullivan Jr. eligible to remain on the ballot.

The controversy intensifies a closely watched Senate race pivotal to chamber control, with the Justice Department already suing to block certification if Peltola wins while the second Sullivan remains on the ballot.

Washington County, Oregon commissioners adopted a Resolution and Order addressing data center development, responding to community concerns over energy and environmental impacts. The county currently has no standalone data centers and no pending applications, with few available industrial parcels. The resolution backs the state's Data Center Advisory Committee, formed by Governor Tina Kotek, and supports local moratoriums where development pressure exists. It stops short of endorsing large-scale standalone data centers or financial incentives to attract them, and directs staff to study a dedicated "data-center task" for the 2027-2029 Planning Work Program.

The move follows Kotek's recent pause on environmental permits for new or expanded data centers and passage of Oregon's Power Act, both aimed at managing rapid AI-driven data center growth and its effect on consumer energy rates.

Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski has endorsed Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins in Alaska's gubernatorial race ahead of the November 3 midterm election, breaking with her party in a contest that also includes three Republican candidates. The winner succeeds term-limited Gov. Mike Dunleavy. Murkowski cited the need for bipartisan problem-solving on fiscal policy, energy costs, and economic growth, saying partisanship shouldn't hamstring the state's future. She said she will not change party affiliation. Kreiss-Tomkins welcomed the backing, pledging cooperation with the legislature and industry. The endorsement comes as attention also turns to Sen. Dan Sullivan's Trump-backed reelection bid under Alaska's top-four primary and ranked-choice system.

FBI agents executed a search warrant at a Beverly Hills mansion owned by a Swalwell donor, part of an escalating investigation into former Rep. Eric Swalwell, sources told multiple outlets. The California Democrat resigned from Congress and dropped out of the state's gubernatorial race in April amid sexual misconduct allegations from at least five women, including a former staffer, which he has denied.

The mansion search marks the second major FBI operation tied to Swalwell in recent months, following an August search of his Washington home and the seizure of his electronic devices at San Francisco International Airport. Federal prosecutors are examining possible civil rights violations tied to his conduct in office, while separate investigations continue in New York and Los Angeles County, including scrutiny of his campaign finances over legal payments to an attorney. The probe comes as declassified FBI records resurfaced showing Swalwell acknowledged a past relationship with suspected Chinese intelligence operative Christine "Fang Fang" Fang.