Sullivan's home in Petersburg has been quiet for weeks, with no signs of recent activity, and his yard sign now stands alone without any other display of politics. The only indication that something out of the ordinary is happening lies in a small, non-partisan yard sign from the League of Women Voters, which reads "Stand Up for Democracy: Vote 2026".

The investigation has taken on a serious tone as it appears to focus on allegations of "ballot stacking, a campaign tactic that could lead to criminal charges. This development comes after news emerged that the Trump administration is considering such charges in connection with Sullivan's campaign.

Local residents, including those who donated to Sullivan's campaign, are expressing confusion and concern over the FBI's actions. Sharon Hunter, one such donor, spoke out about the investigation, saying she believes it represents a waste of taxpayer money and questioning the motives behind targeting someone who has been a positive force in the community.

The tactics of Alaska's quirky politics have come under fresh scrutiny in the ongoing Senate election between incumbent Dan Sullivan and Democrat Mary Peltola. The state's open primary and ranked choice voting systems make it easier for lesser-known candidates to play spoilers when no contender secures a majority.

Sullivan has been fighting off a serious challenge from Peltola, who is seeking to distance herself from allegations of chicanery in the race. A recent New York Times article linked a group backing Peltola to a Democratic operative trying to recruit decoy candidates.

Peltola's campaign has denied any involvement in such tactics, with the candidate telling supporters at a rally that This is Alaska. We're not in the business of tricking each other up here. Her statement reflects the unique dynamics of Alaska's politics, where cooperation and trust are often valued over cutthroat competition.

As Sullivan navigates this challenging election, he has faced scrutiny since June, when the Alaska Division of Elections tried to remove him from the primary ballot. The move was sparked by concerns that Sullivan had not filed his candidacy as a Republican in good faith.

The controversy surrounding Dan Sullivan's candidacy has taken a new turn as investigators from the FBI have begun making inquiries in the small fishing community of Petersburg.

Local residents who know Sullivan personally are speaking out about his character and past work in the area. Several individuals described him as a creative teacher who ran an after-school program called Little Kids Rock to teach guitar skills to children.

The program was well-received by students and parents alike, with many praising Sullivan's dedication to providing musical education opportunities. In fact, more than a dozen residents expressed admiration for Sullivan, calling him a valued member of the community.

As investigators delve deeper into the matter, it remains unclear what specific actions or conversations will be scrutinized as part of the federal probe.

The FBI's investigation into a Petersburg election scandal has taken a new turn, with authorities expanding their probe and descending on the small Alaskan town in recent days. The move has left locals feeling uneasy and wondering what specific actions or conversations will be scrutinized as part of the federal inquiry.

In the tight-knit fishing community, residents have been sharing stories about Dan J. Sullivan's campaign, which received a significant amount of support from local donors. One retired fisherman, Ed Wood, revealed that he had written a $1,000 check to Sullivan's campaign to repay the support his family had received in a previous battle against logging in the town.

Donors who spoke out about their experiences with Sullivan described him as a liberal thinker who sometimes voted for Republicans. Charles Flint, a retired boat seller, said that Sullivan never explained why he entered the race and speculated that he may have seen himself as a spoiler rather than a legitimate candidate.

As the FBI's investigation continues to unfold, friends of Sullivan expressed surprise at the level of attention generated by his campaign. They claimed that Sullivan had not anticipated such scrutiny, let alone involvement from federal law enforcement.

FBI agents visited the home of Anna Holmes and her husband on Friday night to question them about campaign finance violations.

The couple had contributed $500 to Dan J. Sullivan's campaign, but when asked if they intended their contribution to go towards his Senate bid, Holmes expressed hesitation, indicating that she may not have meant for it to support his candidacy.

Not all residents of Petersburg are defending Sullivan, with some expressing surprise and even outrage at his involvement in the Senate race. Amanda Ohmer, a local bartender, was shocked when her son's former teacher entered the election as a Republican, given his perceived liberal leanings.

Ohmer, who attended an anti-Trump protest in town, believes that Sullivan's actions are sleazy" and that just because other Republicans may engage in similar tactics doesn't make it right.

A convicted felon with no ties to Alaska was recently allowed on the ballot as a Democrat for the state's U.S. House of Representatives seat, despite being imprisoned at the time.

The incident has raised questions about the integrity of Alaska's electoral process, particularly given Sullivan's involvement in similar tactics just months earlier.

ABC News Politics: https://abcnews.com/Politics/wireStory/alaska-fishing-community-dan-sullivan-episode-takes-ominous-137761780

The lawsuit, filed by the Trump administration, sought to separate and preserve ballots cast for Dan J. Sullivan, a Democratic candidate with the same name as the incumbent Republican Senator Dan Sullivan. The administration argued that voters may be confused between the two candidates and inadvertently cast their votes for the wrong one, potentially affecting the outcome of the election.

The campaign of Democrat Mary Peltola has been at the center of controversy in recent days after it was reported that they recruited a candidate with the same name as the incumbent senator to run against him. This move has raised questions about voter confusion and the potential impact on the election's integrity.

Federal Judge Sharon Gleason expressed concerns about the Trump administration's request, stating that there is no explanation for how separating ballots would address their alleged injury without compromising the secrecy of the ballot.

The Trump administration's attempt to interfere in the Alaska Senate race has been dealt another blow by the federal court. A lawsuit filed by the Republican-led state government in Alaska sought to block the certification of the Senate election if Senator Dan Sullivan loses. However, the court dismissed the case on procedural grounds, effectively putting an end to this effort.

The Justice Department had argued that Daniel J. Sullivan's presence on the ballot was a frivolous attempt to confuse voters. Despite this argument, the court did not dispute it in its ruling. This move by the Trump administration has been widely criticized, with many accusing them of attempting to rig election outcomes.

In response to the judge's ruling, the Justice Department announced that they will file a notice of appeal. The department maintains that Alaskan voters deserve a fair election and should not be misled by attempts to confuse them. This decision sets the stage for further legal action in the coming days.

The Republican-led state government had implored the federal court to prevent this effort, but their request was ultimately denied. The Trump administration's attempt to interfere in the Alaska Senate race has been met with opposition from various quarters, and it remains to be seen how this situation will unfold.

The controversy surrounding the Alaska Senate race has taken another turn as President Donald Trump's attempt to interfere in the election has been dismissed by a federal judge.

Trump had accused Dan Sullivan of disappearing and hiding from law enforcement due to his alleged involvement with the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee's efforts to recruit him for office.

This claim was made after it emerged that operatives from the committee had joined forces with Peltola's campaign in an effort to recruit a second Sullivan candidate, as revealed by on-the-record comments from Peltola's former campaign manager, Elisa Rios.

NBC News Politics: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/federal-judge-dismisses-trump-attempt-ballots-alaska-senate-race-rcna606838

The dispute centers on allegations that Peltola's top aides were secretly working with an operative to recruit a retired schoolteacher also named Dan Sullivan, who was placed on the ballot as a spoiler. Republicans have long suspected that Peltola and her campaign were behind this move, which they claim aimed to confuse voters in a closely contested election.

According to recent findings by The New York Times, text messages and campaign finance documents reveal that an operative trying to recruit decoy candidates was paid by a group backing Peltola. This evidence has apparently confirmed Republican suspicions about the involvement of Peltola's campaign in the ballot controversy.

Sullivan has publicly expressed his skepticism about Peltola's claims of ignorance regarding her top aides' actions, stating that it is unlikely she remained uninformed for an entire year while this was taking place.

Peltola's campaign and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee have denied any involvement in recruiting a duplicate candidate to run against Alaska Senator Dan Sullivan, a Republican incumbent.

This denial comes despite allegations of potential voter confusion due to the duplicate names on the ballot, with one Sullivan listed as Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. and the other as Dan S. Sullivan.

Peltola has maintained that she is not aware of any involvement by her campaign in recruiting the decoy candidate, stating "I have no idea when questioned about the possibility at a rally last Friday.

The duplicate candidate, Daniel J. Sullivan Jr., claims to have run on his own accord, listing himself as an independent and separate from the senator's campaign.

The situation has led to calls for Peltola to be prosecuted by some of her critics, including former President Donald Trump, who has also ordered federal agents to investigate the case.

The controversy surrounding Mary Peltola's campaign in Alaska has sparked debate among lawmakers about potential criminal charges.

Some critics argue that candidates working in collusion with other parties to confuse voters constitutes a crime, according to South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, who leads the GOP group focused on Senate races.

Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., downplayed the issue, suggesting it's not uncommon for candidates to share the same name as others on the ballot, although he wouldn't condone promoting such a strategy himself.

It's stupid politics, Raskin said, implying that most candidates would avoid using this tactic.

Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent from Vermont, also weighed in on the matter, stating that while what happened in Alaska may seem pretty dumb, it's not necessarily illegal and occurs in every election.

Sullivan himself acknowledged the potential impact of having a second Sullivan on the ballot, expressing concern that voters might be misled by the similarity.

I'm sure I'm going to lose a lot of votes to that trickery, Sullivan said, underscoring his concerns about the situation's effect on his campaign.

Sullivan's stance on the election results appears to be at odds with his earlier concerns about Peltola's campaign involvement in the ballot controversy. He has repeatedly accused her of lying about the matter.

The Alaska Senate candidates have been crisscrossing the vast state as they enter the final stretch of their campaigns, engaging with voters and promoting their platforms. On Saturday night, Sullivan made a lighthearted appearance at a trunk-or-treat" event north of Anchorage, where he handed out candy to local children in costume.

Sullivan's campaign has been marred by controversy surrounding the Alaska ballot issue, which has left him questioning Peltola's integrity. His remarks reflect the tension and uncertainty that have characterized this election cycle.

The outcome of the Alaska Senate race remains uncertain as voters prepare to cast their ballots.

ABC News Politics: https://abcnews.com/Politics/wireStory/sullivan-claims-peltola-lying-campaigns-involvement-alaska-ballot-137749607

The lawsuit at the center of the dispute claims that Democratic Senate candidate Mary Peltola's campaign recruited a retired teacher with the same name as Senator Sullivan to run in the race, allegedly creating confusion among voters. According to Alaska officials, this claim is "impossible and lacks any basis in fact.

Alaska officials have expressed strong reservations about the legal standing of the Trump administration's lawsuit against local election officials. They argue that the matter of certifying election results is a state-level decision, not one for federal intervention.

The Justice Department has proposed segregating" ballots that rank Dan Sullivan as the winner, but Alaska officials have criticized this plan as lacking any basis in fact. They claim it is impossible to separate such ballots without compromising the integrity of the entire voting process.

Allegations made by The New York Times about Peltola's campaign recruiting a candidate to drop out and endorse Sullivan have been denied by Peltola, but the Trump administration has cited this reporting as evidence in its amended complaint.

Alaska officials have asked a judge to reject the Department of Justice's demand that thousands of ballots be set aside in an upcoming election. This move is seen as impossible by state authorities, who argue it would disenfranchise voters and undermine democratic processes.

The controversy surrounding this issue has led to accusations being traded between candidates Dan Sullivan and Mary Peltola. While both have denied any wrongdoing, the situation has highlighted concerns about campaign tactics and voter manipulation in Alaska's elections.

NBC News Politics: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/alaska-officials-ask-judge-deny-trump-administrations-impossible-deman-rcna606765

In a last-minute change to his schedule, the President will also visit Iowa and Kansas over the weekend, reversing an earlier decision to cancel those rallies. This shift in plans underscores the importance of these final campaign stops for both the President and his opponents.

As the candidates make their final pitches to voters, early voting numbers are continuing to surge across the country. The significance of this trend is not yet clear, but it has certainly added a new layer of complexity to the election landscape.

The intense focus on Election Day comes as other issues dominate the headlines. In Alaska's Senate race, Republicans and the Justice Department have been at odds over allegations of voter suppression.

As Election Day draws near, candidates are intensifying their final campaign efforts with just three days left to go. President Trump has revamped his itinerary, shifting from initially canceled rallies in Iowa and Kansas to instead visit those states after a stop in Florida tonight.

The Alaska Senate race is at the center of controversy, with allegations of voter suppression surfacing and now drawing scrutiny from the Justice Department. Democratic candidate Mary Peltola has denied any involvement in misleading voters about her opponents on the ballot.

In an attempt to address the mounting concerns, Peltola stated that she was unaware of any other candidates besides herself and Senator Dan Sullivan, whom she is running against. She emphasized that she had no intention of deceiving voters with false information.

The controversy stems from a report by The New York Times suggesting that Peltola's campaign and national Democrats may have recruited a retired schoolteacher named Dan J. to run as a spoiler candidate, potentially influencing the outcome of the election.

The presence of Mary Sullivan on the ballot is set to have a significant impact on the Alaska election, potentially altering the dynamics and influencing the outcome.

Alaska voters are grappling with how to weigh the scandal surrounding President Dan S.'s attempts to overturn an election against Mary Sullivan's candidacy, with some viewing it as a distraction from the main issue.

Some voters believe that if Mary Sullivan is found to have been involved in or aware of the president's actions, her credibility would be severely damaged. As one voter noted, "if I heard her say that it didn't happen or I didn't know nothing about it, I would just at that point think even less of her because I believe she'd be lying."

Meanwhile, developments in California have seen the Justice Department face a setback, with an appeals court rejecting its request to set aside over 20,000 ballots.

Republican Senator Susan Collins is seeking a sixth term in office, emphasizing her record of challenging the Trump administration's policies during campaign stops.

In her efforts to connect with voters, Collins highlighted several instances where she has diverged from the president, including her vote against the Big Beautiful Bill, which was a key legislative achievement for Trump. Her stance on this issue is a notable aspect of her campaign, as it demonstrates her willingness to take a stand against the administration's policies even when they are popular among Republicans.

In Ohio, Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown has been holding rallies with gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton, and his message of change is resonating with voters. Brown's experience in the Senate gives him a unique perspective on the issues facing the country, and he is using this to his advantage as he campaigns for office.

Meanwhile, Pennsylvania voters have seen one of the last debates of the election, with Democratic Congressional candidate Paige Cognetti criticizing incumbent Rob Bresnahan's votes on the Iran war. Bresnahan insisted that he has broken with Trump, but Cognetti argued that more action is needed to end the conflict.

As the midterm elections draw to a close, candidates are making their final stops on the campaign trail. One of the key issues being debated is the role of big donors in shaping election outcomes.

Some critics argue that the influence of wealthy donors can undermine the democratic process and create an uneven playing field for candidates. State Rep. James Talarico (D-TX) has accused billionaire Elon Musk and other donors of bankrolling his opponent, state Attorney General Ken Paxton, in their bid for a Senate seat.

Despite concerns about the impact of big money on elections, some voters remain loyal to President Trump, who is campaigning in Florida tonight after visiting South Carolina yesterday.

PBS NewsHour Politics: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/candidates-make-final-midterm-stops-as-early-voting-surges

The motion was filed on behalf of Democratic Senate candidate Mary Peltola and Senate Democrats, who argue that the lawsuit directly threatens their interests. According to the filing, the Trump administration is demanding that election officials refuse to certify the election if Peltola wins, which would be a clear interference in the democratic process.

The Trump administration's lawsuit was filed on Thursday, just days after President Donald Trump expressed his concerns about the Alaska Senate election on his social media platform. In a post, Trump stated that he is "very concerned about the Dan Sullivan Senate seat in Alaska, citing confusion over the use of ranked-choice voting and the presence of two candidates with similar names.

The Department of Justice's lawsuit against the Alaska Senate results has sparked a counter-movement from Democrats, who are urging a judge to dismiss the administration's challenge. The challenge aims to block certification of the election if Dan Sullivan does not win, and if had all votes cast for Dan J." were instead counted for him.

The filing from Peltola and Senate Democrats contests this assumption, arguing that it unfairly assumes every voter who casts a vote for Dan Johnson intended to support Dan Sullivan. The motion also asserts that Alaskans for Mary and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee have a right to intervene in the case to defend against the Department of Justice's demands.

The judge's earlier decision to validate Dan J. Sullivan Jr.'s campaign after his initial removal from the ballot has added complexity to the situation, with Trump having claimed that Dan J. Sullivan Sr. would have won if he had not been removed.

The US Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit challenging the outcome of Alaska's Senate election, which is set to take place on Election Day. The suit claims that Dan Sullivan Jr., the Republican candidate, may have benefited from a conspiracy aimed at confusing voters. This development comes just over a week before early voting began in the state.

Legal experts say the DOJ's case has little chance of success due to federal laws limiting the Justice Department's role in elections. According to these laws, state and local officials are responsible for running and certifying elections, leaving the federal government with limited involvement. This means that any claims of wrongdoing would need to be proven through evidence presented by state authorities.

Despite this, the lawsuit has significant implications as it seeks to alter the outcome of a critical election in which Democrats aim to unseat Republicans and gain control of the Senate.

NBC News Politics: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/democrats-ask-judge-dismiss-trump-administrations-challenge-alaska-sen-rcna605472