DOJ Subpoenas Alaska Senate Rivals Over Ballot Name Clash
Federal and state probes expand into the dispute over a Republican candidate sharing a name with the sitting senator.
By Chloe Martin ·
The U.S. Department of Justice has intensified its scrutiny of the upcoming Alaska Senate race. The federal agency is investigating claims that Democratic nominee Mary Peltola benefited from a confusing ballot layout.
Federal officials issued subpoenas to Peltola's campaign offices and those of Republican candidate Daniel J. Sullivan. The legal action stems from allegations that the presence of Sullivan's name on the ballot was designed to split the vote for incumbent Senator Dan S. Sullivan. The New York Times first reported that the DOJ filed a lawsuit arguing this arrangement unfairly aided the Democrat.
State authorities are moving in parallel. Governor Mike Dunleavy ordered a state-level inquiry to determine if Peltola's team violated local election laws. In a social media post, Dunleavy argued that voters have a fundamental right to choose their intended candidate. He described the alleged tactic as a deliberate effort to trick voters, which he said compromised election integrity.
The House Oversight Committee has also opened its own probe into the matter. President Donald Trump weighed in via Truth Social, suggesting that Peltola should face consequences for the alleged scheme.
Peltola has rejected the claims. She stated that she knew nothing about other candidates on the ballot besides herself and the incumbent. Her campaign also denied the specific allegations reported by The New York Times.
Source: WGVL
