By Basant El-Faramawy
Federal investigators have begun contacting donors to Dan J. Sullivan, the Alaska U.S. Senate candidate who shares a name with the Republican incumbent, as a criminal probe into possible voter deception intensifies. On Friday, an FBI agent based in Anchorage traveled to Petersburg, a remote fishing community accessible only by air or water where the candidate lives, and visited a boat dealership owned by Charles Flint, a longtime acquaintance of Sullivan.
Donor says he was not misled
Flint, who donated $500 to Sullivan's campaign over the summer, told The Associated Press that the agent asked his son whether Flint felt he had been "misled" about which candidate he was supporting. Flint said he did not feel misled, noting he intends to rank Democrat Mary Peltola first on his ballot followed by Dan J. Sullivan, and that "everybody knows who the incumbent is."
Investigation widens days before election
The FBI's outreach follows confirmation from federal officials that a criminal investigation into the candidate exists. The U.S. Department of Justice also sought a court order Friday to isolate certain Alaska ballots so potential voter confusion can be examined. U.S. Attorney Michael Heyman said the probe has been ongoing for months but recent revelations that Peltola's campaign appeared involved in recruiting Sullivan triggered a "significant surge of law enforcement assets to Alaska."
Peltola denies involvement
At a campaign rally in Anchorage on Friday, Peltola again denied any role in a plan to place candidates on the ballot to detract from Senator Dan Sullivan. She called the allegations "garbage" and part of a "smear campaign" to suppress turnout ahead of Tuesday's ranked-choice general election. "I know I can beat Dan Sullivan. I do not need any help winning this race," she told volunteers.
