DOJ Sends Target Letters to 20 Democrats in Alaska Senate Probe

The Justice Department has sent letters to about 20 Democrats warning that they may be targets of a federal criminal investigation into the recruitment of a second “Dan Sullivan” for Alaska’s U.S. Senate ballot, The New York Times reported Tuesday, citing two people with knowledge of the move. ABC News separately reported, citing sources familiar with the matter, that prosecutors are in the process of issuing more than 100 subpoenas and at least 20 target letters.

The step lands on Election Day, as incumbent Republican Sen. Dan S. Sullivan faces Democrat Mary Peltola in one of the handful of races expected to decide control of the Senate, according to the Associated Press.

DOJ ramps up probe of Alaska Senate race with target letters, new subpoenas: Sources https://t.co/kUB9Quqrwm

— Katherine Faulders (@KFaulders) November 3, 2026

Elias among the recipients

According to the Times, the intended recipients include Marc Elias, the prominent Democratic elections lawyer whose firm has represented Peltola and other Democratic candidates, and at least one official at the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. ABC News also reported that Elias is among those receiving a letter.

Elias responded in a statement quoted by ABC News. “No one should be surprised that President Trump’s Department of Justice is targeting me and my law firm on Election Day,” he said, calling the probe “a sham investigation” and adding, “We will not be intimidated.”

According to ABC News, the letters indicate that a grand jury empaneled in Alaska is examining possible conspiracy and donor fraud offenses. The Times likewise reported that the department is investigating possible donor fraud and conspiracy. A target letter tells a person they are a target of a grand jury investigation, but it does not mean that person will be charged, ABC News noted. No one has been charged, and a Justice Department spokesperson did not immediately respond to ABC’s request for comment.

How the probe got here

The investigation centers on Daniel J. Sullivan, a retired teacher who appeared on the ballot alongside the incumbent senator. According to ABC News, the probe began accelerating last week after the Times detailed alleged efforts by Democrats and some in Peltola’s campaign to recruit him. NBC News reported that the Times account cited interviews with 12 people who were involved in or told about the plan, along with dozens of text messages among participants.

NBC News reported last week that the department had issued at least three dozen new subpoenas and document preservation requests, including to Peltola’s campaign offices and those of the second Sullivan. On the same day, Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy ordered the state Department of Public Safety to determine “whether this scheme violated Alaska’s laws and whether criminal charges or civil action are warranted,” he said in a post on X quoted by NBC.

Democrats deny involvement

Peltola has denied knowing about any such effort. “I knew nothing about any other candidate on the ballot except for me and the incumbent,” she said in Juneau on Oct. 29, according to the AP as cited by Quartz. Daniel J. Sullivan has said he had no contact with her campaign, the AP reported. A DSCC spokesperson told NBC News the committee is “not involved with Dan J. Sullivan.”

According to the Times, Democrats have accused the administration of weaponizing the department, arguing that recruiting candidates to split an opponent’s vote is a common campaign tactic and not clearly illegal under state law. The Times also described sending such notices at the decisive moment of a close race as highly unusual.

For Alaska Republicans, the question is whether a scheme to put a look-alike name on the ballot crossed the line from hardball politics into fraud. That answer now rests with a federal grand jury, not the campaigns.

Sources

• ABC News: DOJ ramps up probe of Alaska Senate race with target letters, new subpoenas
• The New York Times: Justice Dept. Sends Target Letters to Democrats in Escalation of Alaska Inquiry
• NBC News: DOJ issues subpoenas in Alaska Senate race as governor launches separate investigation
• Quartz: Justice Department sends target letters to 20 Democrats in Alaska

Reporting by Daily Beltway.