From ABC News · ABC News · · 2m
DOJ escalates Alaska Senate race probe with new subpoenas
The Justice Department has issued subpoenas targeting Democratic officials over efforts to recruit a candidate with the same name as Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan.
In brief
The Justice Department has issued subpoenas targeting Democratic officials over efforts to recruit a candidate with the same name as Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan. The Justice Department is investigating whether Democrats violated federal conspiracy law by recruiting Daniel J. Sullivan, a retired teacher, to run for…
DOJ targets Democrats in Alaska Senate probe
The Justice Department has issued subpoenas targeting Democratic officials tied to efforts to recruit Daniel J. Sullivan, a retired teacher, to run for Alaska Senate.
The alleged scheme to confuse voters
The New York Times reported that members of Mary Peltola's campaign, her lawyers, and senior aides at the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee pushed to recruit Daniel J.
Attorney General calls it cheating and fraud
Attorney General Todd Blanche told Fox News on Wednesday that Sullivan's candidacy and recruitment efforts amounted to cheating and fraud, promising more Justice Department action.
“I expect you're going to hear more from the Department of Justice this week as we learn more information.”
Alaska governor orders state investigation
Republican Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy ordered an investigation into the recruitment effort, saying it revealed an organized attempt to manipulate Alaska's elections by confusing voters.
“Deliberately tricking voters into casting their ballots for someone else strikes at the integrity of our elections.”
Democrats deny involvement in recruitment
Alaskans for Mary, Peltola's campaign committee, said it has no involvement with either Sullivan campaign. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee also denied involvement with Daniel J. Sullivan.
Federal prosecutors examine conspiracy charges
DOJ prosecutors are investigating whether behind-the-scenes maneuvering to include Daniel J. Sullivan's name on the ballot could violate federal conspiracy statutes, according to sources.
Trump pushes for prosecution of Peltola
President Donald Trump has publicly demanded that Mary Peltola herself face prosecution, one of several instances where he has called on the Justice Department to prosecute prominent Democrats.
Alaska court ruled candidacy was legal
Alaska's Supreme Court previously affirmed that Daniel J. Sullivan's candidacy was legal, even if not entirely in good faith or intended to confuse and mislead voters as the Trump administration contends.
At a glance
The Justice Department is investigating whether Democrats violated federal conspiracy law by recruiting Daniel J. Sullivan, a retired teacher, to run for Alaska Senate and potentially confuse voters.
