The FBI has intensified its investigation into Dan J. Sullivan, a U.S. Senate candidate in Alaska who shares a name with Republican incumbent Sen. Dan Sullivan. Agents have visited donors in at least two remote Alaskan communities and Massachusetts, asking whether they felt misled about which candidate they supported.
An FBI agent visited Petersburg, a remote fishing community where the candidate lives, and left a business card at a boat dealership. Charles Flint, who contributed $500 to Dan J. Sullivan's campaign, told the agent's inquiry that he had not been misled and knew which candidate he was supporting.
U.S. Attorney Michael Heyman said the federal investigation had been ongoing for several months but surged after The New York Times reported that Democrat Mary Peltola's campaign appeared involved in recruiting Dan J. Sullivan as a candidate. The Department of Justice also requested a court order to isolate certain Alaska ballots to investigate potential voter confusion.
At a campaign rally in Anchorage on Friday, Peltola denied involvement in placing candidates to detract from the incumbent senator. She called the allegations "garbage" and a "smear campaign" designed to suppress turnout. "I know I can beat Dan Sullivan. I do not need any help winning this race," she said.
President Donald Trump commented on the case Saturday night at his Mar-a-Lago estate, calling it "voter fraud at the highest level" and suggesting that top Democratic leaders outside Alaska could have been involved.
The ranked choice general election is scheduled for Tuesday.