Corruption & Accountability · Report · File No. 261030-519
Top federal prosecutor in Alaska calls Peltola ballot allegations 'troubling'
U.S. Attorney Michael Heyman says new reporting on the Alaska Senate race has brought a surge of law enforcement resources, but he won't say what crimes are being investigated. The Justice Department plans to ask a court for an injunction by Monday, the day before the election.
Every quote in this story (1) was matched word for word against its source. How we work
The Justice Department's top prosecutor in Alaska said Friday that new reporting about the origins of an independent Senate candidate's campaign is "troubling," and that the information "has resulted in a significant surge of law enforcement assets" to the state 1.
Michael Heyman, the U.S. attorney for the District of Alaska, declined to say what specific crimes are being investigated as Daniel J. Sullivan — who shares a first and last name with the Republican incumbent, Sen. Dan Sullivan — is set to appear on the ballot Tuesday 1.
Heyman said he is "not making any assumptions on whether a crime has been committed or not" 1. He also said investigators are looking at "several theories" but would not describe them 1.
The case centers on a New York Times report that operatives linked to Democrat Mary Peltola's campaign helped recruit the second Sullivan to run 1. Republicans say Daniel J. Sullivan is a plant meant to confuse voters and boost Peltola in one of the country's most competitive Senate races 1.
From Channel GOPPeltola: Tariffs doubled Alaska air taxi's parts billMary Peltola · 142 plays · captioned, with the source named
Peltola and national Democrats have strongly denied any involvement. Peltola said Thursday she is "not interested in tricking voters" and "knew nothing about any other candidates on the ballot except for me and the incumbent" 12.
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee has argued that Republicans have been linked to their own efforts to stack the Alaska ballot, including in this year's Senate primary and in other elections 1.
State election officials initially determined Daniel J. Sullivan was not eligible to appear on the ballot, accusing him of a deliberate attempt to confuse Alaska voters 1. State courts overturned that decision, ruling that officials did not have the authority to exclude a candidate based on their interpretation of "good faith" 1.
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy ordered an investigation into the matter, and the Justice Department has issued subpoenas targeting several Democratic officials 1. The latest subpoenas went to Peltola's Senate campaign offices and to the offices of Daniel J. Sullivan, according to NBC News and the Times, citing officials 2.
In a separate civil case, the Trump administration has sued to block Alaska from certifying the Senate results if the Republican incumbent loses because of "voter confusion" 1. Heyman said Friday the department will file a motion for a preliminary injunction and ask for expedited discovery by Monday, a day before the election 1.
Heyman also said he had been recused from the matter some time ago because he was being considered for a judicial nomination, but that the recusal "has officially been rescinded" now that the nomination is no longer in play 1.
Asked why the department is escalating the case before the vote, Heyman said, "We're not escalating anything except to the extent that a new article came out" 1. He said the investigation "has been going on sort of quietly for several months, with the intent not to escalate anything" 1.
That matters because a federal prosecutor in the state is publicly describing the allegations as serious while declining to name a crime, four days before an election that could decide Senate control.
The Record
- The New York Times reports that Peltola's campaign was directly involved in recruiting a candidate with the same name as Sen. Dan Sullivan 2.
- Peltola denies knowing about any other candidate on the ballot besides herself and the incumbent 12.
- U.S. Attorney Michael Heyman calls the new reporting "troubling" and says the Justice Department will seek a preliminary injunction and expedited discovery by Monday 1.
Sources
- CBS News, “Top DOJ attorney in Alaska calls Alaska Senate allegations "troubling"” (2026-10-30). cbsnews.com/news/alaska-us-attorney-senate-race-two-dan-sull
- The Hill, “DOJ issues subpoenas in Alaska Senate race: Reports” (2026-10-30). thehill.com/homenews/campaign/6183444-doj-subpoenas-peltola-
Found an error? Tell the newsroom. Corrections are noted at the top of the story.
More from the files
DOJ accuses Peltola of misleading federal court in Alaska Senate suit
The Justice Department's amended complaint says Peltola's campaign and the Democrats' Senate campaign arm misled the court. Peltola denies knowing of any scheme, and an Alaska lawyer says the new claims don't make the case stronger.
Justice Department issues new subpoenas in Alaska Senate probe five days before election
Federal prosecutors are seeking records from Democratic officials tied to an effort to put a second Dan Sullivan on the ballot, and the department has amended its lawsuit to block certification of the race. No one has been charged.
Judge orders DOJ to answer dismissal motions in Alaska Senate ballot suit by Friday afternoon
A federal judge in Anchorage is keeping the Justice Department's lawsuit on a fast track, with a ruling possible before Tuesday's election. The suit seeks to delay certification of the Alaska Senate race if Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan loses by a margin tied to voter confusion over a second candidate named Dan Sullivan.
Delivered free to your door*
The Morning Edition
One short email at 7 a.m. Eastern: the day's top files, one clip worth your time, and the race to watch. Plain English, large type, no clutter.
*Your inbox. Free. Unsubscribe with one click, any time.