CNN anchor Dana Bash drawn into Alaska Senate ballot dispute
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The gist
CNN anchor Dana Bash called an Alaska ballot effort a "dirty trick" but not illegal after a New York Times investigation.
The remark and her clash with the attorney general put a TV host at the center of an election fight.
Background
Dana Bash is a CNN anchor and moderator of "State of the Union." The Alaska exchange concerns the state's Senate race, where Republican Sen. Dan S. Sullivan is seeking a third term against Democrat Mary Peltola, a former U.S. representative; a second candidate named Dan J. Sullivan is also in the race. According to a New York Times investigation, people connected to Peltola's campaign sought to recruit a candidate with a similar name to the incumbent, potentially confusing voters. Bash's on-air comments and her confrontation with Attorney General Todd Blanche over the Constitution's Elections Clause drew criticism from Megyn Kelly and others.
How it unfolded
- Oct 25, 2026Attorney General Todd Blanche confronted Bash on "State of the Union" after CNN displayed only the first portion of the Constitution's Elections Clause during a heated exchange over the Justice Department's lawsuit on the Alaska Senate race.
- Oct 30, 2026After a New York Times investigation was published, Bash said on air the Alaska effort was not illegal but was a "dirty trick." Megyn Kelly criticized Bash over the episode.
- Nov 1, 2026Kaitlan Collins told USA TODAY that Bash sent her a t-shirt reading "I'm still from Alabama, sir" ahead of their election-night coverage together.
- Nov 2, 2026Bash warned that her own network's polling could be missing key signs in the tight Michigan Senate race.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- A CNN spokesperson said Bash is a veteran journalist who conducted a newsmaking interview and asked tough, substantive questions, adding that the network stands behind her.
- Caution
- Bash said the Alaska ballot effort was "not illegal and it's not new" but called it a "dirty trick" at a time when a president and his supporters are trying to undermine the election.
- Critics
- Megyn Kelly said Bash "looks so stupid" after the Alaska Democrats' Dan Sullivan effort, and Stu Burguiere on her show said Bash knew what was behind it.
- Denial
- Daniel J. Sullivan, the challenger and a retired teacher from Petersburg, denied accusations of trying to siphon votes from the incumbent and said his candidacy is legitimate.
Still unverified
Bash warned her own network's polling could be missing key signs in the Michigan Senate race, such as Jewish voters shifting away; the claim rests on media reports. Daniel J. Sullivan has denied accusations that he tried to siphon votes from the incumbent.