Peltola denies scheme to confuse voters as DOJ widens probe into Alaska Senate race

The DOJ is investigating whether Democrats purposely recruited a Senate candidate in Alaska with the same name as the Republican incumbent to confuse voters. Investigators have issued dozens of subpoenas, including to Democrat Mary Peltola's campaign organization and to candidate Dan J. Sullivan, who's also running against GOP Senator Dan Sullivan. This comes as Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy, a Republican, ordered an investigation into Peltola's campaign. Both inquiries follow a New York Times report that revealed how Peltola's campaign worked with national democrats to recruit another Dan Sullivan into the race to siphon off votes from the incumbent Republican. During a rally in Juneau on Thursday, Peltola denied she had anything to do with the alleged scheme. I have to like right off the top before any jokes before any heartfelt, you know, reasons why you should get out and vote. I just want to clear the air. I knew nothing about any other candidates on the ballot except for me and the incumbent. That is all I have ever known about. I am not interested in tricking voters. I know I can beat Dan Sullivan. Even before the latest revelation, the Trump administration filed a civil suit that seeks to block Alaska from certifying the election results if Senator Sullivan loses by fewer votes than the other Sullivan receives. A federal judge is expected to rule in the coming days whether the administration has the authority to intervene. On Thursday, President Donald Trump cast doubts on whether Republicans would see Peltola if she wins the race. Well, you're gonna have to see what happens. It's hard to believe that she could even be allowed to run. Frankly, I don't know how you could allow somebody like that to run. It's so unfair when you look at that, but nobody knows what to press. We've done studies. Nobody knows. They have no idea who the Dan Sullivan is. Alaska Supreme Court has already ruled that Dan J. Sullivan's candidacy is legal, even if it's not entirely in quote good faith or is actually an attempt to confuse and mislead voters.