The US justice department has issued subpoenas as part of a federal investigation into claims that Democrat Mary Peltola’s campaign worked with party operatives to place a second contender named Dan Sullivan on the November 5 Senate ballot, a move allegedly intended to muddle voters supporting the Republican incumbent.
Alleged Coordination Between Campaign and Party Operatives
According to a New York Times investigation published on Wednesday, the Peltola team allegedly orchestrated the recruitment of another Dan Sullivan, a move that would have duplicated the name of the sitting Republican senator and potentially confused the electorate.
The campaign has consistently denied any involvement, insisting that it never directed party officials to field a duplicate candidate. Sources familiar with the matter told ABC News that the scheme was hatched months in advance, with the aim of splitting the Republican vote and easing Peltola’s path to re‑election.
Federal Subpoenas and Ongoing Investigation
On Thursday, the justice department confirmed that it had served subpoenas related to the alleged collusion, a development first reported by ABC News. The federal inquiry is said to be examining whether any campaign finance or election‑law violations occurred.
Investigators are expected to scrutinise communications between the Peltola campaign and party operatives, as well as any financial transactions that might have facilitated the recruitment of the second candidate. The subpoenas signal a serious escalation of the matter beyond state‑level scrutiny.
Governor’s Criminal Inquiry and Political Fallout
Alaska’s Republican governor, Mike Dunleavy, announced a criminal inquiry into the alleged scheme on the same day the subpoenas were issued, underscoring the growing tension surrounding the race.
Dunleavy’s office indicated that the investigation would focus on potential fraud, misrepresentation, and any illegal attempts to influence the outcome of the Senate contest. The governor’s move adds a layer of state‑level legal pressure to the federal probe.
Trump’s Threat and the Pending Lawsuit
Former president Donald Trump said last week that he had instructed the justice department to file a lawsuit seeking to block the certification of the Senate election unless Dan Sullivan emerges as the winner.
That lawsuit remains pending, and the justice department’s subpoenas now appear to be part of a broader effort to address the alleged manipulation of the ballot. The intertwining of criminal, civil, and electoral questions promises to keep the Alaska race in the spotlight for months to come.
Why it Matters
The outcome of this investigation could reshape the balance of power in the US Senate, influence voter perception of electoral integrity, and set a precedent for how aggressively federal authorities intervene in state‑level campaign disputes, with far‑reaching consequences for the 2026 midterm landscape.
