Alaska Senate candidate denies knowing about alleged plot to put two Dan Sullivans on ballot

Democrat Mary Peltola, running for Senate in Alaska, said publicly on Thursday that she had no knowledge of any plan to place a second Dan Sullivan on the ballot. She said she knew only of herself and the Republican incumbent, and had no wish to deceive voters. The dispute matters because the race is rated a toss-up by the Cook Political Report and could decide control of the Senate, according to BBC.

The controversy followed a New York Times account, which the BBC has not independently verified, saying people tied to Peltola's campaign and senior Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee aides tried to recruit retired teacher Dan J Sullivan. The Times said it reviewed text messages and spoke with 12 people. Peltola's campaign and Sullivan both deny any connection. Governor Mike Dunleavy ordered an inquiry, and CBS News reports the Justice Department has started issuing subpoenas. U. S. Attorney Michael Heyman said civil and criminal investigations are underway, though no charges had been filed Friday evening.

Trump administration lawyers also asked a federal judge to have state officials set aside every ballot ranking Dan J Sullivan, citing Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward's argument that this cannot be done after Election Day.

Summarized by PolitiKool from BBC’s reporting. Read the full story at BBC →