Alaska Governor Orders Probe Into Senate Candidate Recruitment

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy on Oct. 29 ordered an investigation into whether efforts to recruit candidates for the state’s U.S. Senate race violated state law, after reports alleged that people aligned with Democrat Mary Peltola sought to recruit a candidate sharing the Republican incumbent’s name. The inquiry, assigned to the Department of Public Safety, concerns retired teacher Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. and incumbent Sen. Dan S. Sullivan, who are both on the ballot. Dunleavy said investigators would determine whether the reported conduct violated Alaska law and whether criminal charges or civil action are warranted. The order is an investigation, not a finding of wrongdoing; no one had been charged, according to reporting on the probe. The allegations stem from reporting based on interviews, messages and documents prepared for a potential lawsuit. It said Peltola-aligned operatives sought candidates who could draw support from the incumbent, including Daniel J. Sullivan. Former Peltola campaign manager Elisa Rios said Peltola was aware of the effort but was not directly involved. Rios later sought to retract her statements before publication. Peltola has denied knowing about or...