FBI Contacts Donors as Alaska Senate Inquiry Into Second 'Dan Sullivan' Candidate Widens

The FBI on Friday began contacting donors to Alaska Senate candidate Dan J. Sullivan, asking whether they had been deceived, as federal authorities widened a criminal investigation into the candidate, who shares a name with Republican incumbent Sen. Dan S. Sullivan. An Anchorage-based agent visited a boat dealership in Petersburg, the fishing community where the candidate lives, and left a card for donor Charles Flint, who gave $500 over the summer. Flint told The Associated Press he has known the candidate for years as a teacher and musician and does not feel misled. MS NOW reported FBI visits to at least three donors. Federal officials confirmed a criminal probe, and the Justice Department also sought a court order to isolate certain Alaska ballots to examine possible voter confusion. The Justice Department had earlier sent subpoenas to Democrat Mary Peltola's campaign and to the second Sullivan's campaign, and prosecutors are examining whether recruiting him violated federal conspiracy laws. A New York Times investigation had traced the recruitment to operatives working with Peltola campaign staff and national Democrats. Friday night, the senator's campaign X account was temporarily suspended for alleged impersonation. Alaska votes Tuesday.

Right-leaning outlets frame the story around alleged Democratic wrongdoing. The Daily Wire's headline says the real Sullivan was flagged as fake, and it leads with the suspension of his X account, quoting NRSC regional director Chris Olmstead accusing Peltola and allies of false reports. It also includes the Peltola campaign's reply calling the claims unsubstantiated, and it describes the effort as dirty tricks by leftist operatives. RealClearPolitics leads with Sen. Sullivan telling CNN that a "secret plan to cheat" shows Democrats' disdain for Alaskans. Left-leaning outlets MS NOW and HuffPost, using AP reporting, center on the FBI's outreach to donors and the candidate's local roots. They feature Flint's statement that he is not confused and plans to rank Peltola first, and MS NOW stresses that donors know the other Sullivan personally. Both sides cover the probe and the second candidate, but the right emphasizes Democratic recruitment, while the left emphasizes donors' lack of confusion. TMZ largely echoes the senator's claim of a Democratic scheme.