Federal agents are now contacting donors in Alaska and Massachusetts as an extraordinary investigation into the state’s U.S. Senate race expands just days before Election Day.
The inquiry centers on Daniel J. Sullivan Jr., a retired teacher and musician who shares a name with Republican incumbent Sen. Dan S. Sullivan. The Associated Press reported Saturday that FBI agents have interviewed or attempted to interview people who donated to the lesser-known candidate, asking whether they were confused about which Sullivan they supported.
The donors quoted by AP said they knew exactly whom they backed and did not believe they had been deceived. No one has been charged, and federal prosecutors have not publicly identified a specific crime, target or theory of prosecution.
Why two Dan Sullivans are on the ballot
Alaska’s ranked-choice Senate ballot lists incumbent Dan S. Sullivan as a Republican and Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. as an unaffiliated candidate. Former Democratic U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola is the leading challenger in a contest that could help determine control of the Senate.
The dispute intensified after news reports alleged that people connected to Democratic politics helped recruit the second Sullivan as a potential spoiler who could confuse voters or draw support away from the incumbent. Peltola has denied knowing about or participating in such an effort. Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. has also denied coordinating with her campaign, and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee has denied involvement.
Alaska’s election office had already opened a state inquiry in June after receiving allegations that the challenger’s filing was designed to capitalize on the shared name. The Division of Elections said at the time that it was investigating whether the filing was coordinated with another campaign.
The federal investigation is accelerating
Alaska U.S. Attorney Michael Heyman confirmed that a criminal investigation had been underway for months and said recent reporting produced a “significant surge” of federal resources. Alaska Public Media reported that the FBI, federal prosecutors and Alaska State Troopers participated in the Anchorage announcement.
Reuters reported that the Justice Department issued more than 40 subpoenas and document-preservation requests, including requests involving the Peltola and Daniel J. Sullivan campaigns. Heyman said investigators were moving “intensely and swiftly,” but also cautioned that he was not assuming a crime had occurred.
The FBI’s new donor contacts appear designed to test a central question: did contributors believe they were supporting the incumbent senator, or did they intentionally donate to the retired teacher? Agents described the interviews as voluntary, according to AP.
DOJ also wants certain ballots isolated
In a related civil case, the Justice Department asked a federal judge to order Alaska officials to preserve and segregate ballots that rank Daniel J. Sullivan. The government says the step could help determine whether voters were confused.
State election officials argue that separating those ballots could compromise voter secrecy because ballots are commingled. They also say the ballot identifies the candidates by full name, party status and incumbency, while ranked-choice voting allows a person to rank both Sullivans.
Reuters reported that the investigation is unfolding as more than 51 million Americans have already voted nationwide. Republicans hold a 53–47 Senate majority, making Alaska one of the contests with national consequences.
The unusual public disclosure of a criminal investigation so close to an election has drawn scrutiny of its own. What is confirmed is that federal agents are gathering information, donors are being contacted and court action is underway. Whether investigators find evidence of criminal deception remains unresolved.
Sources
- Associated Press: FBI contacts donors as Alaska inquiry widens
- Associated Press: DOJ seeks to isolate Alaska ballots
- Reuters: Alaska and California ballot fights intensify
- Alaska Public Media: Federal prosecutor announces resource surge
