Alaska probes Senate race name mix-up

Governor Mike Dunleavy ordered an investigation into the Democratic campaign for U.S. Senate in Alaska on Wednesday. The probe follows reports that the team for candidate Mary Peltola attempted to recruit a second candidate with the same name as the incumbent Republican senator. This move appeared designed to split the Republican vote.

The order was posted on social media overnight. It came one day after President Donald Trump called for the criminal prosecution of Peltola and her staff. Trump has also directed the Department of Justice to sue to block the certification of the race if a certain candidate remains on the ballot.

Dunleavy cited reporting by The New York Times in his statement. He described the findings as evidence of an organized effort to manipulate the election. The governor said the campaign recruited candidates to confuse voters and misdirect their votes. He noted that the reporting supports earlier findings by the state elections board.

The controversy centers on Daniel J. Sullivan Jr., a retired schoolteacher from Petersburg. He declared a candidacy for the primary seat. The top state elections official initially ruled him ineligible. The official concluded his filing was submitted to compromise the fairness of the ballot. The Alaska Supreme Court later reversed that decision and allowed him to run.

Sullivan has denied acting at the behest of Democrats. He stated in June that he had no contact with Peltola's campaign. He described the connection as zero, none, and zilch. On the ballot, voters will see Dan S. Sullivan listed as a registered Republican and incumbent. Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. will appear without a party affiliation.

The New York Times reported that Peltola's team aimed to coax candidates into the race. The goal was to split support for the GOP senator. Interviews, text messages, and documents prepared for a potential lawsuit showed this intent. Trump told reporters on Thursday that he doubts Peltola will be seated even if she wins the election.

The president told reporters on his way to a rally in South Carolina that it is hard to believe she could be allowed to run. He previously posted on social media that Peltola should suffer legal and political consequences. He asked what would happen in the end, suggesting uncertainty about the final outcome.

Political parties have used similar tactics in other states. In Ohio, Republicans backed a socialist candidate in the Senate race. This move aimed to pull votes from the Democratic challenger to Sen. Jon Husted. Legal experts say the federal government has no role in challenging results if state courts approve the candidates.