The key facts
- Mary Peltola publicly denies knowing about the nomination of a second Dan Sullivan
- The US Department of Justice is issuing subpoenas to Democratic officials and has filed a federal lawsuit
- Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy has ordered an official investigation
Denial amid an investigation
Democratic Senate candidate Mary Peltola has publicly stated that she knew nothing about the existence of a second candidate on the ballot besides herself and the incumbent senator. “I just want to set the record straight,” she told voters on Thursday. “I did not know about any other candidate on the ballot besides me and the incumbent senator. I am not going to deceive voters.” This is reported by BBC News.
The essence of the allegations
The dispute erupted after a report by The New York Times, according to which people connected with Peltola's campaign, as well as senior staffers of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC), sought to bring Dan J. Sullivan — a retired teacher from a remote fishing village — into the race. The outlet says it reviewed text messages and interviewed 12 people who took part in the plan or knew about it. The BBC notes that it has not independently verified these materials. Peltola's campaign and Dan J. Sullivan himself deny any connection between them.
Legal action
The US Department of Justice, according to CBS News — the BBC's US partner — has begun issuing subpoenas to Democratic officials allegedly linked to the nomination of Dan J. Sullivan. As of Friday morning, no charges have been filed against anyone. Last week, the Trump administration filed a federal lawsuit demanding that the election result not be certified if Trump-backed Sullivan loses: the department believes that two same-named candidates on the ballot could confuse voters. On Wednesday, the lawsuit was amended to cite the Times report and the announcement by Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy that an investigation would be conducted — the governor had ordered the review earlier this week.
What is at stake
The Alaska race is considered one of the most competitive in the upcoming US midterm elections, which will determine which party controls Congress. According to the nonpartisan Cook Political Report, the contest is classified as a “toss-up” — too close to call. The legal actions are unfolding just days before voting takes place across the country.
Image source, Getty Images Mary Peltola, Democratic Senate candidate for Alaska
