U.S. attorney says FBI 'surge' is in Alaska over second Dan Sullivan, days before vote

U.S. Attorney Michael J. Heyman said Friday that federal authorities have sent a "significant surge" of law enforcement resources to Alaska. They are investigating whether political operatives recruited a Senate candidate with the same name as Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan, in order to confuse voters. ¹

Heyman said parallel criminal and civil investigations are underway. FBI personnel and several attorneys from his office have been assigned, just days before Election Day on Tuesday. ¹

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There is a surge in FBI resources as well as resources in this office to make sure that the election integrity remains in place,

Heyman said the matter had been under quiet investigation for several months. He said a New York Times report this week produced more information and sped up the federal response. ¹

What investigators have and have not said

Heyman declined to name any possible crimes, targets or subjects. He said investigators have not determined that a crime occurred. ¹

From Channel GOPPeltola: Tariffs doubled Alaska air taxi's parts billMary Peltola · 142 plays · captioned, with the source named

He also said his earlier recusal from the matter has been rescinded and that he now leads the effort locally. He said he has not discussed the investigations with the White House. ¹

The Times reported that people tied to Democratic candidate Mary Peltola's campaign sought to recruit candidates, including Daniel J. Sullivan Jr., a retired teacher who shares a name with the incumbent. The Associated Press reported that the Times cited text messages among campaign members, and relied partly on Peltola's former campaign manager, who was fired in August. The Times said she tried to retract her comments. ¹²

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Peltola's campaign says it "has no involvement with either Sullivan campaign." The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, the party's Senate campaign arm, says it "is not involved with Dan J. Sullivan." Sullivan Jr. has said he entered on his own because he was unhappy with the incumbent. ¹²

The civil case and the courts

The Justice Department is also pursuing a civil case to preserve ballots while officials decide whether voters were misled. Heyman said the department is not asking the court to declare a winner or change any votes. ¹

Peltola's campaign and the DSCC told the court that the department's accusation that they misled it is "nonsense." Alaska election officials have asked U.S. District Judge Sharon Gleason to dismiss the suit, and she has fast-tracked it before Election Day. ¹

President Trump has embraced the effort. He said he told the department to "do it," and he told reporters Wednesday that he thinks Peltola and the other Sullivan should be prosecuted. ¹²

Why it matters

Alaska uses ranked-choice voting. Voters rank candidates, and the last-place candidate's ballots move to each voter's next choice until someone passes 50 percent. FairVote, a group that backs the system, says it can ease confusion because voters can rank both Sullivans. ¹

That matters because the race is a toss-up that could help decide Senate control. Data for Progress had Peltola up 3 points in a survey from Oct. 8-16, and InsiderAdvantage had her up 2 in a survey on Oct. 9-10. ¹

The analysis here is plain. A federal surge, announced publicly four days before a vote, is allowed to follow the facts. But no crime has been established, and an allegation is not a finding. Voters should watch for evidence, not headlines. ¹

The Record

1. Oct 28, 2026Trump says Peltola and the other Sullivan 'should be prosecuted' after a New York Times report ²
2. Oct 29, 2026Peltola's campaign and the DSCC call the Justice Department's claim that they misled the court 'nonsense' ¹
3. Oct 30, 2026U.S. Attorney Michael J. Heyman announces a 'surge' of FBI and prosecutor resources in Alaska ¹

Sources

1. Newsweek, “FBI Resources 'Surge' Into Alaska Election Probe: 'It Is Serious Now'” (2026-10-30). newsweek.com/dan-sullivan-alaska-senate-election-mary-peltol
2. AP via WDIV ClickOnDetroit, “Trump calls for prosecution of Democratic Alaska Senate candidate over spoiler candidate controversy” (2026-10-28). clickondetroit.com/news/politics/2026/10/28/report-peltolas-

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