Alaska governor orders probe into alleged recruitment of same-name Senate candidate

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy ordered state public safety officials to investigate whether efforts to recruit a Senate candidate with the same name as Republican incumbent Dan Sullivan violated state law.

The order followed a New York Times report alleging that an operative who worked with Democrat Mary Peltola’s campaign and national Democrats encouraged retired teacher Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. to enter the race. The report cited text messages and interviews and described the recruitment as part of a broader effort to add candidates to the contest.

Peltola’s campaign and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee denied involvement in Sullivan Jr.’s candidacy. Sullivan Jr., who is listed on the ballot without a party affiliation, has also denied being a sham candidate and said his campaign is genuine. The ballot identifies the incumbent Sullivan as a Republican and the sitting senator.

State election officials previously tried to exclude Sullivan Jr., concluding that his candidacy was intended to confuse voters, but the Alaska Supreme Court allowed him to remain on the ballot.

President Donald Trump called the matter election fraud, said Peltola should not be allowed to run and called for her prosecution. Sen. Tim Scott also urged the Justice Department to investigate her campaign.

Separately, the Justice Department has sued to prevent immediate certification if the incumbent loses because of possible voter confusion. A federal judge allowed Peltola’s campaign and the DSCC to intervene; they and other groups have asked the court to dismiss the case before the Nov. 3 election. Trump said he directed the department to file the lawsuit.