The campaign of former Rep. Mary Peltola, D-Alaska, actively worked to recruit a second Republican candidate named "Dan Sullivan" in a bid to spoil the contest between herself and Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, the New York Times reported.

Elisa Rios, the former Peltola campaign manager, told the Times that the candidate was not personally involved, but was aware of her team's efforts to recruit a spoiler candidate.

Peltola and the two Dans Sullivan are set to face off on Tuesday in the battle for one of the state's Senate seats. Republicans have argued that the second "Dan Sullivan" is a fake candidate, hoping to confuse voters and boost Peltola.

The Times reported Wednesday, citing "interviews and text messages, along with documents prepared for a potential lawsuit against the campaign," that the Peltola campaign, which has denied involvement, actively worked to recruit the second Sullivan.

They also reportedly sought other potential spoiler candidates.

The Department of Justice has sued over the second "Dan Sullivan's" candidacy.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent at Just the News. Follow him on X.