FBI agents questioned donors to Daniel J. Sullivan Jr.’s campaign, the Associated Press reported, amid an inquiry into alleged recruitment of a candidate sharing a name with Republican Sen. Dan S. Sullivan.
Donor Anna Holmes told the Associated Press that she and her husband gave Daniel J. Sullivan’s campaign $500 and were questioned at home Oct. 30. Holmes said agents asked whether the couple meant to contribute to the senator’s campaign and told them they were investigating campaign-finance violations. She told AP, “I told the agent I would not have done that.” Donor Sharon Hunter said she and her husband gave $1,000 and agents asked whether they felt deceived. AP reported that agents were interviewing a dozen campaign contributors.
At an Oct. 30 news conference, U.S. Attorney Michael J. Heyman said the federal investigation had been underway for months and investigators were not assuming a crime had occurred. The Federal Election Commission lists $30,555.62 in receipts for Daniel J. Sullivan’s campaign from May 29 through Oct. 14. The total includes $20,155.62 in individual contributions and $10,400 in candidate loans.
The New York Times reported Oct. 28 that people connected to Mary Peltola’s campaign and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee took part in efforts to recruit candidates, including Daniel J. Sullivan. Peltola’s campaign denied involvement. Alaska Public Media said it had not independently confirmed the Times’ report.
In a separate case, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a complaint Oct. 22 alleging Daniel J. Sullivan’s candidacy was intended to mislead voters. The department asked a court to block certification if Sen. Dan S. Sullivan lost and reallocating votes cast for Daniel J. Sullivan to the incumbent would have changed the result.
U.S. District Judge Sharon L. Gleason dismissed the case Nov. 1, saying the department had not explained how stopping certification could address its alleged harm while protecting voters’ secret choices. Her decision did not determine whether recruitment occurred. DOJ filed a notice of appeal the same day.
Alaska’s official candidate list identifies Dan S. Sullivan as a Republican incumbent and Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. as undeclared. Daniel J. Sullivan received 2.5% in the Aug. 18 primary and advanced to the general election. Alaska’s ranked-choice election is Tuesday, Nov. 3; voters may rank more than one candidate.
