Key facts
- Justice Department issued over 40 subpoenas and record preservation notices.
- Investigation focuses on whether Dan J. Sullivan's candidacy aimed to confuse voters.
- Mary Peltola's campaign allegedly involved in recruiting Dan J. Sullivan.
- Potential charges include civil rights violations.
- US Attorney in Alaska recused himself due to potential conflict.
The US Justice Department has escalated its investigation into the candidacy of an Alaska Senate candidate with the same name as the Republican incumbent, Dan Sullivan, issuing more than 40 subpoenas and document preservation requests. The investigation is probing whether Alaska Democrats sought to confuse voters by recruiting Dan J. Sullivan to siphon votes from the incumbent. Recipients of the subpoenas included the campaigns of Dan J. Sullivan and Democratic nominee Mary Peltola. The New York Times reported that Peltola's campaign was involved in recruiting Dan J. Sullivan. President Donald Trump called for the prosecution of Peltola and Dan J. Sullivan, alleging voter fraud. The Justice Department is reportedly looking into potential civil rights charges.