Alaska Senate Race Faces Federal Probe as Voters Weigh Two Sullivans

The FBI has interviewed Daniel J. Sullivan, a political newcomer in the Alaska U.S. Senate race, as part of a federal investigation into the contest. President Trump ordered the Justice Department to look into the primary, describing the situation as voter fraud at the highest level. The probe follows a state investigation launched by the governor and new allegations of wrongdoing centered on incumbent Senator Daniel S. Sullivan. The outcome of this race may decide which party controls the U.S. Senate in the coming two years.

The primary confusion stems from a 2025 effort by the campaign of Democrat Mary Peltola to find a second Daniel Sullivan to serve as a ringer and confuse voters. Two former Peltola staffers told The New York Times they initiated the search. One of them, the campaign manager who was fired in August, detailed the effort in the report. Peltola denies involvement in the scheme. She stated, “I knew nothing about any other candidate on the ballot except for me and the incumbent. That is all I have ever known about. I am not interested in tricking voters.”

Voters in Alaska will use rank-choice voting on Tuesday to select between the two Sullivans, Peltola, and a third-party candidate. This primary takes place while national early voting continues. The Election Lab at the University of Florida reports that more than 42 million people have already voted early in person or by mail. That figure is double the number from one week ago. More than 60 million people have requested mail-in ballots, but only one-third have returned them. Ohio presents a specific challenge, as only two-thirds of requested mail ballots have been turned in.

Economic concerns are driving voter sentiment this cycle. Inflation has reached 3.7 percent, though it remains lower than the 10 percent rate seen under President Jimmy Carter in 1980. The average price of a gallon of gas was $4.26 this week, up from $3.05 a year ago. Diesel fuel costs $6.35 per gallon, a jump from $3.62. These rising costs for truck drivers often lead to higher prices for food and clothing. Home mortgage rates have also climbed above 7 percent, increasing monthly payments for borrowers with adjustable rates.

Political analyst Mark Curtis predicts Democrats will gain control of Congress. He forecasts they will win Senate seats in North Carolina, Ohio, Iowa, and Alaska, resulting in a 51-49 majority. He also projects a Democratic net gain of 20 House seats, creating a 234-201 majority. Under this scenario, Representative Hakeem Jeffries of New York would become Speaker of the House. Curtis believes Democrats would draft articles of impeachment against President Trump in the House Judiciary Committee, a move he describes as largely symbolic because Democrats would lack the 67 Senate votes needed for removal.

Other developments include a federal judge ruling that Maurene Comey was illegally fired by the Justice Department. District Judge Jesse Furman noted she received high accolades from peers before her termination. In a separate matter, prosecutors submitted a formal information against former FBI Director James Comey regarding leaked classified information. Meanwhile, a federal grand jury declined to indict former Trump aide Cassidy Hutchinson over her January 6 testimony. Diplomats tell the Associated Press that President Trump is considering renewed military strikes on Iran after the elections.

Most states will accept mail-in ballots for another week if they are postmarked by Election Day. Final outcomes may take several days or a week to emerge due to the high volume of mail votes. The next step is the general election, where close races in the House and Senate will determine the balance of power in Washington.