DOJ ramps up probe of Alaska Senate race with target letters, new subpoenas: Sources

As of November 3, 2026, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) has escalated its criminal investigation into the Alaska Senate race, issuing over 100 subpoenas and at least twenty letters targeting individuals involved. The probe focuses on allegations that Democrats recruited a candidate named Dan J. Sullivan Jr. to compete with Republican incumbent Senator Dan Sullivan, potentially confusing voters in one of the tightest races nationwide.

The investigation, initially revealed by the New York Times report, intensified after former campaign manager claims were made against Democrat Mary Peltola’s team for plotting voter confusion. Republican Governor Mike Dunleavy has also ordered an investigation into these allegations. The Justice Department's actions follow President Trump's direction and have drawn scrutiny as Democrats reject the findings.

The controversy centers on whether Peltola’s campaign collaborated with party operatives to recruit a challenger with the same name, which could influence voter behavior in this traditionally conservative state where polls predict a close race for control of the Senate.