Super PACs pour money into fringe candidates ahead of Alaska Senate primary

A newly formed super PAC has spent more than $180,000 boosting two lesser-known candidates in Alaska's U.S. Senate primary, in an apparent effort to siphon votes away from Democrat Mary Peltola in the general election. The group, Fair Deal Alaska, has also spent more than $65,000 on mailers opposing Peltola, according to federal campaign finance disclosures.

The spending has gone toward Richard Grayson, a Green Party candidate who lives in Arizona and has a history of running as a fringe candidate in other states' elections, and Carol Hafner, a Democrat who lists a South Dakota campaign address. A separate group, Right for Alaska, funded in part by a Massachusetts surgeon's six-figure contribution, has spent more than $250,000 opposing Republican incumbent Dan Sullivan and a similar amount boosting minor candidates who could pull votes from him.

The race, which pits Sullivan against Peltola along with the minor candidates, could help determine control of the U.S. Senate. Alaska's ranked choice voting system is designed to prevent lower-tier candidates from swinging the outcome, but strategists note that voters who back fringe candidates do not always rank the remaining choices, which can affect which of the top two contenders wins.

The primary will determine which four candidates advance to the general election. Alaska has a history of similar tactics in past elections, and strategists say comparable efforts are occurring in other states, including a Wisconsin governor's race.

Read the full story at adn.com.