Alaska Governor Orders Probe Into Alleged Senate Spoiler Scheme

Dunleavy directed the Department of Public Safety to examine whether the effort warrants criminal charges or civil action. He said new reporting supported concerns previously investigated by the state Division of Elections in June, and that evidence would determine what happens next.

The allegations concern Daniel J. Sullivan Jr., a retired teacher running against incumbent Sen. Dan S. Sullivan. The New York Times reported that people connected to Peltola’s political operation and the Democratic Senate campaign organization tried to recruit him, along with other potential candidates, to divide support for the Republican senator. Peltola’s campaign and the committee have denied involvement. Daniel Sullivan has said he entered the race on his own and has denied contact with Peltola’s campaign.

The state elections division earlier removed Daniel Sullivan from the primary ballot, finding evidence that his name and Republican affiliation could confuse voters. The Alaska Supreme Court later restored him, ruling that state law did not allow officials to bar him on the basis of his motives. The general-election ballot distinguishes the candidates as “Dan S. Sullivan,” identified as the incumbent Republican, and “Daniel J. Sullivan Jr.,” without a party affiliation.

President Donald Trump has called for Peltola and the second Sullivan to face removal from the ballot and criminal charges. The Justice Department also filed a federal lawsuit seeking to prevent certification under certain circumstances if the incumbent loses. Peltola dismissed the controversy as a distraction, while stressing that her campaign had no role in either Sullivan’s campaign.

The Senate contest is among those expected to help determine control of the chamber. Alaska voters are scheduled to go to the polls on November 3.

Alaska Probe Raises Election Fairness Concerns Before Senate Vote

A Republican governor has ordered a state probe into allegations involving Peltola’s campaign days before voters decide a closely watched Senate contest. The move gives force to claims promoted by Trump, even though the Alaska Supreme Court previously ruled that the second Sullivan could remain on the ballot.

The New York Times reported that people tied to Peltola’s political operation and the Democratic Senate campaign organization tried to recruit Daniel J. Sullivan Jr., a retired teacher, as a possible spoiler against Republican incumbent Dan S. Sullivan. Peltola’s campaign and the committee deny involvement, and the retired candidate says he entered independently and had no contact with her campaign.

Alaska’s elections division had removed him from the primary ballot over concern that his name and party affiliation might confuse voters. The state Supreme Court reversed that decision, finding state law did not permit officials to reject a candidate based on his motives. The ballot identifies the incumbent as the registered Republican and incumbent, while the other candidate appears without a party affiliation.

Trump has demanded prosecution and urged that Peltola and the other Sullivan be excluded. His administration has also sued over certification of the result. Peltola called the controversy a distraction and said her campaign had no involvement with either Sullivan campaign. Dunleavy says state investigators will decide whether the allegations support charges or civil action.

Alaska Investigates Alleged Democratic Effort to Confuse Senate Voters

Alaska is investigating an alleged attempt to manipulate a crucial Senate race by placing a candidate with nearly the same name as the Republican incumbent on the ballot. Gov. Mike Dunleavy said the state Department of Public Safety will determine whether the conduct violated state law and warrants criminal or civil action.

The allegations center on Daniel J. Sullivan Jr., a retired teacher. The New York Times reported that people connected to Democrat Mary Peltola’s campaign and the Democratic Senate campaign organization sought to recruit him and other potential spoiler candidates to weaken Sen. Dan S. Sullivan. Peltola’s campaign and the committee deny involvement. The retired candidate says he entered the race on his own.

The state elections division previously found grounds to remove him from the primary ballot, but the Alaska Supreme Court restored his candidacy, ruling that officials could not disqualify him based on his motives. Voters will see the incumbent identified as a registered Republican and incumbent; the other Sullivan will appear without a party label.

Trump has called for Peltola and the second Sullivan to face removal and criminal charges, and the Justice Department has filed a lawsuit seeking to block certification in certain circumstances. Peltola has dismissed the controversy as a distraction. The investigation will now determine whether the alleged conduct crossed the line into a violation of Alaska law.