Daniel J. Sullivan left his Alaska hometown before Senate election

Daniel J. Sullivan, the independent Senate candidate in Alaska whose name nearly matches that of Republican incumbent Dan Sullivan, has departed his hometown of Petersburg days before the midterm election, multiple sources told CBS News. A onetime pupil of his says she spotted him heading to Anchorage on Monday, before The New York Times published its account of his recruitment by operatives tied to Democrat Mary Peltola's campaign. Where he is now is unknown.

Residents interviewed by CBS News, a crowd numbering in the dozens, said they never received mailers, flyers, brochures or signs from him, and a crew found no sign of campaigning even at his home. Fisherman Andrew Worhatch called it an unserious bid. Supporter Keely Hankins, however, praised the retired teacher, who spent nearly 20 years in the local schools, and said voters can tell the two names apart on the ballot.

Republicans have long accused him of trying to confuse voters, and the senator labeled him a "sham candidate." Election officials initially ruled him ineligible, but courts overturned that. Peltola and national Democrats deny any link. Following the Times story, Governor Mike Dunleavy ordered an investigation, and the Justice Department expanded a criminal probe.

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