By Karim Hammam
Democratic Senate candidate Mary Peltola denied on Thursday any knowledge of an effort to place a second candidate named Dan Sullivan on the Alaska ballot, as the U.S. Justice Department escalated a criminal investigation with new grand jury subpoenas.
DOJ Escalates Criminal Investigation
The subpoenas, seeking grand jury testimony or documents along with records preservation demands, were issued after The New York Times reported that Peltola’s campaign appeared involved in recruiting Dan J. Sullivan Jr. as part of an alleged attempt to confuse voters. A person familiar with the matter told the Associated Press that more subpoenas were expected, though the recipients and total number were not immediately clear.
Governor Announces Separate Probe
Alaska’s Republican Governor Mike Dunleavy announced plans to launch a state criminal investigation, saying the Times reporting “reveals disturbing new evidence of an organized effort to manipulate Alaska’s elections.” Dunleavy added that the report “substantially supports” earlier findings by the state elections board.
Trump Questions Peltola Eligibility
Former President Donald Trump cast doubt on whether Peltola would be seated if she wins, telling reporters it was “hard to believe that she could even be allowed to run.” At a rally for Republican Senate candidate Darline Graham, Trump said he felt Peltola “actually should be removed from the ballot and prosecuted.”
Key Senate Race
The contest between Peltola and two-term Republican incumbent Dan Sullivan is considered one of the most important of next week’s midterm elections and could determine control of the Senate. Democrats hold 47 seats to Republicans’ 53, and recent polls have shown Peltola leading.
