Top federal prosecutor in Alaska says criminal probe underway over would-be spoiler Senate candidate

Federal authorities in Alaska are conducting a criminal investigation into whether a second candidate named Dan J. Sullivan was placed on the Senate ballot to muddle the choice against Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan. U. S. Attorney Michael Heyman said Friday that the inquiry has run for months but accelerated after The New York Times reported that Democratic challenger Mary Peltola's campaign seemed to have helped recruit the namesake. Heyman declined to identify possible offenses or targets, though he asked the public for tips. Peltola said Thursday she knew of no candidate other than herself and the incumbent, and the namesake has said he had no contact with her campaign, according to PBS NewsHour.

PBS NewsHour reports that a person familiar with the case told The Associated Press prosecutors have sent out dozens of grand jury subpoenas and record-retention demands this week. In a parallel civil case, Assistant U. S. Attorney Bryan Wilson asked a court to set aside every ballot ranking Daniel J. Sullivan so voter confusion can be examined if needed. Alaska's attorneys reply that officials already distinguished the two men on the ballot, and that ranked voting eases the problem. They want a ruling by Monday. Gov.

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