DOJ issues 40-plus subpoenas in Alaska Sullivan probe; governor orders inquiry

The governor's order: "The new reporting substantially supports the Division's findings," Dunleavy wrote on X, referring to the state elections division's June decision to keep Daniel J. Sullivan off the ballot, which state courts reversed. He directed the Department of Public Safety to determine "whether this scheme violated Alaska's laws and whether criminal charges or civil action are warranted," adding, "The evidence will determine what happens next," as reported by Fox News, NBC News and CNBC.

The responses: Peltola's campaign told CNBC that "no tweet or threat from any politician will keep her away from that fight" and that it "has no involvement with either Sullivan campaign." A DSCC spokesperson said Republicans "have a long history of recruiting and propping up candidates," citing what the DSCC called a GOP-backed prisoner candidate against Peltola and spending to put an Arizona resident on Alaska's Senate ballot, CNBC reported. Asked Thursday whether the Senate should block Peltola from taking the seat if she wins, President Trump said, "Well, you're going to have to see what happens," and called the retired teacher "just put there as a fraud," CNBC reported.

Background: The Times reported Wednesday that aides to Peltola's campaign and DSCC staff worked to recruit Daniel J. Sullivan, a retired Petersburg teacher, and other would-be spoilers to dilute the senator's support, citing 12 sources plus texts and documents. Peltola's former campaign manager, Elisa Rios, told the Times that Peltola was not directly involved but was "definitely aware," AP and Fox News reported. The campaign and the DSCC deny recruiting any candidate, and Daniel J. Sullivan has long denied running at Democrats' behest. NBC News later reported that Rios attempted to retract her statements.

In court: Judge Sharon Gleason on Wednesday let Peltola's campaign, the DSCC, the League of Women Voters of Alaska and Common Cause join the Justice Department's suit seeking to delay certification if the senator narrowly loses, and ordered the department to answer the motions to dismiss by Thursday afternoon, with replies due Friday, CNBC and the Juneau Independent reported. Department lawyers moved to amend the suit after the Times report, CNN reported. Alaska's Republican-led elections office argues the suit seeks to sow "doubt" and will "cast a cloud over" the contest, CNN reported; settlement talks that included extra instructions for poll workers on which Sullivan is which did not produce a deal.

What the evidence shows: Each side's strongest claim has a soft spot. The DSCC says it "is not involved with Dan J. Sullivan," but the Times said DSCC staffers were on the text messages, AP reported. On the other side, the Constitution sets only age, citizenship and residency rules for Senate candidates, the Alaska Supreme Court ruled that Daniel J. Sullivan qualified, and law professor Derek Muller told AP that "now it's in the hands of the voters, not litigation." On the ballot, the senator appears as "Sullivan, Dan. S." marked "Registered Republican, incumbent," and the teacher as "Sullivan, Daniel J. Jr." with no label, CNBC reported.

Timeline: June 15, Alaska's elections director removes Daniel J. Sullivan from the ballot; June 26 and 29, state courts restore him. August, a grand jury issues subpoenas to witnesses tied to his campaign, NBC News reported. Oct. 22, the Justice Department sues to block certification if the senator narrowly loses. Oct. 28, the Times publishes its report, Trump calls for prosecution, the department drops its opposition to Peltola and the DSCC joining the suit, Judge Gleason admits all four groups, and prosecutors send 40-plus subpoenas and notices. Oct. 29, Dunleavy orders a state investigation and more subpoenas are expected.

What's still unknown: Who received the subpoenas and whether anyone will be charged before or after Tuesday; whether Gleason dismisses the federal suit or allows the discovery the department wants; how the state investigation will proceed; and whether Rios or other Times sources will speak publicly.

Updated Thursday afternoon, Oct. 29, with the new federal grand jury subpoenas, Gov. Mike Dunleavy's state investigation, Judge Gleason's order admitting four groups to the case, and new statements from Peltola's campaign, the DSCC and President Trump. The subpoena count (more than 40, including records-preservation notices) and details of the Justice Department's internal deliberations come from unnamed officials who spoke to CNN; AP confirmed new subpoenas through a person familiar with the matter but gave no number. Recipients have not been identified. These are allegations: no one has been charged, and the campaign and the DSCC deny recruiting any candidate. Updated Nov. 1 with DOJ's amended complaint, the state's Oct. 31 filing and Rios's attempted retraction.