CBS News editor‑in‑chief Bari Weiss faced significant resistance from staff during a 9 a.m. editorial meeting about the Alaska ballot controversy, network insiders told Fox News Digital.
Weiss Clashes With CBS Staff Over Alaska Ballot Scheme
Weiss called the Alaska dispute a “great story” and urged the newsroom to follow the New York Times investigation, describing it as a “learning moment.”
Multiple CBS News staffers pushed back, arguing the scheme was standard political tactics and not a criminal conspiracy.
When Weiss asked for other examples of ballot confusion, “Face the Nation” moderator Margaret Brennan cited New Hampshire Senate candidate John Sununu, suggesting voters might mistake him for his brother, former governor Chris Sununu.
CBS political correspondent Ed O’Keefe, appearing on “CBS Mornings,” said the Alaska episode could be a dirty trick but was not illegal, noting similar tactics in the 2016 Senate primary.
A CBS News staffer defended the discussion, saying it provided context rather than downplaying the scandal and that the meeting remained a healthy exchange.
The New York Times reported that a Peltola campaign staffer was instructed to locate every Dan Sullivan in Alaska, compile a voter list, and recruit a candidate to create vote‑splitting confusion.
According to former campaign manager Elisa Rios, Peltola was aware of the effort but denied direct involvement, while the campaign has denied any coordination.
Peltola called the Times report a “distraction” designed to sell newspapers, and her campaign has reiterated its denial of any illicit scheme.
Republicans have long questioned the legitimacy of retired teacher Daniel J. Sullivan Jr.’s candidacy, which appears on Alaska’s rank‑choice ballot, and the Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit seeking to block certification if his votes could alter the outcome.
Despite the pushback, a CBS insider said the meeting was never contentious and remained a constructive dialogue.
Several reporters, including congressional correspondent Taurean Small, were dispatched to Alaska after the meeting to provide on‑the‑ground updates.
A CBS News spokesperson declined to comment on the internal discussion.
Joseph A. Wulfsohn, media reporter for Fox News Digital, can be reached at joseph.wulfsohn@fox.com or on Twitter @JosephWulfsohn.
