DOJ Sends Target Letters in Alaska Senate Probe

The Justice Department has widened its criminal investigation into an effort to put a second candidate named Dan Sullivan on Alaska’s Senate ballot. On November 3, letters went to roughly 20 Democrats, including attorney Marc Elias together with at least one Democratic Senate campaign committee official, people familiar with the investigation said. The committee was served with a jury-issued document, according to a policing source.

The investigation concerns Daniel J. Sullivan, a retired teacher recruited to run against Republican Sen. Dan S. Sullivan. Prosecutors are examining possible donor fraud and conspiracy, though they have not publicly specified the crimes under investigation. More than 100 subpoenas have been issued, one person familiar with the probe said.

Elias’s firm has represented Democratic nominee Mary Peltola and the party’s Senate committee. Elias said the administration was targeting him and his firm for political reasons and called the investigation a sham. Peltola has denied that her campaign was involved in recruiting the second Sullivan and said she believes she can defeat the incumbent without misleading voters. The committee and campaign have also denied involvement.

The letters arrived on Election Day, as Peltola and Sullivan faced a close contest that could affect Senate control. President Donald Trump has publicly urged action against Elias and others, while Democrats have criticized the timing as political interference. Alaska’s U.S. attorney said the probe had been underway for months and that recent disclosures prompted additional investigative work.

A federal judge on November 1 dismissed the Justice Department’s lawsuit seeking to block certification of Alaska’s results if Sullivan lost, ruling that the department lacked standing and had offered no workable way to preserve ballot secrecy. The department is appealing. A target letter signals potential legal exposure but does not mean an indictment will follow.

Trump DOJ Targets Democrats on Election Day in Alaska

The Trump administration’s Justice Department escalated its Alaska investigation on Election Day, sending criminal target letters to about 20 Democrats, including prominent election lawyer Marc Elias. The timing, as Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan faces Democrat Mary Peltola in a close contest, intensifies concerns that federal law enforcement is being used to pressure the president’s political opponents.

The probe centers on Daniel J. Sullivan, a retired teacher recruited to run against the incumbent. Prosecutors are examining possible donor fraud and conspiracy but have not publicly identified specific charges. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee also received a grand jury subpoena, and more than 100 subpoenas have been issued, one person familiar with the investigation said.

Elias said the administration was targeting him and his firm despite no evidence of wrongdoing. Peltola has denied her campaign was involved in the recruitment effort. Democrats have argued that ballot-stacking tactics are used in campaigns and are not clearly illegal under state law.

The Justice Department previously sought to block certification of Alaska’s results if Sullivan lost. A federal judge dismissed that case on November 1, finding the department lacked standing and had not explained how it could segregate ballots without violating voter privacy. The department is appealing. Target letters indicate possible legal exposure, not proof of guilt or a guarantee of charges.

DOJ Probes Alleged Vote-Splitting Scheme in Alaska Race

The Justice Department is pursuing a criminal investigation into an alleged effort to confuse Alaska voters by recruiting a candidate with the same name as Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan. On November 3, roughly 20 Democrats received target letters, including lawyer Marc Elias and at least one Democratic Senate campaign committee official. The committee also received a jury-issued document.

The case concerns Daniel J. Sullivan, a retired teacher who was recruited to run alongside the incumbent as Peltola challenged Sullivan in a close Senate race. Investigators are examining possible donor fraud and conspiracy. More than 100 subpoenas have been issued, one person familiar with the probe said.

President Donald Trump has called for Elias and others to face consequences. The Justice Department’s investigation is aimed at allegations of an effort to mislead voters, while the department says its work is intended to protect election integrity. Peltola has denied her campaign was involved and said she can beat Sullivan without tricking voters.

A federal judge dismissed the department’s attempt to block certification if Sullivan lost, ruling that it lacked standing and had no workable plan to separate ballots while protecting secrecy. The department is appealing. The investigation continues, but a target letter does not establish guilt or mean an indictment is certain.