Trump and Justice Department Target Alaska Senate Race Over Spoiler Allegations

President Donald Trump and the Justice Department are intensifying investigations into claims that a namesake candidate was recruited to confuse Alaska voters in a neck-and-neck Senate race.

The U.S. Justice Department has issued at least three dozen new subpoenas and document preservation requests regarding the Alaska Senate contest. According to NBC News, the federal probe focuses on allegations that the campaign of Democrat Mary Peltola helped recruit Dan J. Sullivan, a retired teacher with no political experience, to run against the Republican incumbent of the same name. While Peltola’s campaign denies the claims, Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy has ordered a state investigation into the matter.

Federal officials are now seeking a court order to require Alaska to segregate all ballots that rank the namesake challenger. CBS News reported that the Trump administration filed a civil lawsuit to block the state from certifying election results if Peltola wins, citing a "substantial risk" of voter confusion. The subpoenas were delivered to the campaign offices of both Peltola and the retired teacher, Dan J. Sullivan.

The Justice Department's ramped-up activity follows a report by The New York Times regarding the recruitment of the namesake candidate. NBC News noted that while a criminal investigation into the race was originally opened in July, the new allegations have provided the administration with additional grounds for the probe. The Alaska race is one of several contests expected to determine which party controls the Senate.

In other election developments, a federal judge in California has ordered the government to stop demanding that local officials separate ballots from alleged noncitizens. CBS News reported that U.S. District Judge Trina Thompson's ruling prevents the administration from threatening local officials with prosecution. Meanwhile, President Trump addressed a rally in Florida on Friday, acknowledging the physical toll of his recent campaign blitz while announcing plans to visit Iowa and Kansas for upcoming rallies.

Background

The controversy stems from reports that operatives linked to Mary Peltola’s campaign were involved in recruiting a retired teacher to run for the Senate seat held by Republican Senator Dan S. Sullivan. The investigation revolves around potential violations of federal laws designed to protect citizens' rights to free and fair elections.