DOJ Probes Alaska Senate Ballot Dispute

A New York Times investigation alleged that aides to Democratic Senate nominee Mary Peltola and other Democratic operatives sought to recruit retired teacher Dan J. Sullivan, whose name resembles that of Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan, to siphon votes from the incumbent in Alaska’s closely watched Senate race. The report identified strategist Jerid Kurtz as a go-between; former Peltola campaign manager Elisa Rios said Peltola knew of the effort but was not directly involved, then sought to retract her account. Peltola’s campaign and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee deny involvement, and the second Sullivan says he entered the race on his own; the Alaska Supreme Court allowed him to remain on the ballot. The Justice Department has issued subpoenas to people believed connected to the effort and amended its civil lawsuit to seek to prevent certification if the incumbent loses; no one has been charged. The controversy comes as early voting is underway ahead of Alaska’s November 3 election, which uses ranked-choice voting and could affect control of the Senate.