Peltola denies knowing about second Dan Sullivan on Alaska ballot
Mary Peltola says she knew nothing of a reported plan to put a second Dan Sullivan on Alaska's ballot, AP, BBC News and Fox News report. The Justice Department has stepped up a criminal probe. She is the Democrat in a key race against Senator Dan Sullivan, and the GOP says her side tried to fool voters.
Democratic Senate candidate Mary Peltola says she knew nothing about an alleged effort to put a second Dan Sullivan on Alaska's ballot, AP, BBC News and Fox News report.
"I knew nothing about any other candidate on the ballot except for me and the incumbent," Peltola said in Juneau, AP and BBC News report. "I am not interested in tricking voters," she said, the outlets report. Peltola is running against Republican Senator Dan S. Sullivan in a race seen as key to control of the Senate.
The New York Times reported that people tied to Peltola's campaign and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee worked to recruit Dan J. Sullivan, a retired teacher, to run, AP, BBC News and Fox News report. The Peltola campaign has denied the report, and Dan J. Sullivan has denied any links to the campaign, BBC News reports.
The Justice Department has issued grand jury subpoenas, AP reports, citing a person familiar with the matter. BBC News reports that no charges have been filed. President Donald Trump has said Peltola "actually should be removed from the ballot and prosecuted," AP reports. Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy, a Republican, has ordered a state investigation, AP and BBC News report.
Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso accused Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of helping with the plan, Fox News reports. "This is criminal behavior to steal the Alaska Senate race," Barrasso said, the outlet reports. Schumer's office and Peltola's campaign did not respond to Fox News, the outlet says. "They can't win on their record so they're trying to intimidate me into backing down," Peltola said in a fundraising post, AP reports.
What we know: Peltola denies knowing about the second Dan Sullivan, and federal prosecutors have issued subpoenas.
What we don't: Who the subpoenas target and whether anyone will be charged.
Where outlets agree AP, BBC News and Fox News report Peltola denied knowing about the effort to put a second Dan Sullivan on the ballot.
Where they differ Republicans say Peltola's campaign tried to trick voters with a same-name candidate. Peltola and Dan J. Sullivan deny any link, and no charges have been filed.