Alaska governor orders probe into alleged scheme involving two same-name Senate candidates

Alaska's Republican governor, Mike Dunleavy, has ordered an investigation into an alleged scheme that resulted in two men both named Dan Sullivan standing in the state's US Senate race.

Dunleavy said the inquiry follows a New York Times report claiming that the campaign team of Democratic candidate Mary Peltola had worked with individuals who attempted to recruit spoiler candidates for the Senate contest. In a post on social media platform X, the governor said he wanted to determine whether the alleged scheme broke any of Alaska's laws, though he did not specify which ones.

Incumbent Republican Senator Dan S Sullivan, who is seeking re-election, and his supporters have accused the Democrats of attempting to mislead voters through the arrangement. The Peltola campaign has rejected any suggestion of wrongdoing, stating that its Alaskans for Mary effort had no connection to either Sullivan campaign.

The campaign also said it had not encouraged the second man, Dan J Sullivan, a retired teacher living in a remote fishing village, to run for office. That candidate has likewise denied any ties to the Peltola campaign.

The Alaska Senate race is regarded by analysts as one of the most closely contested in the upcoming US midterm elections, which will determine control of Congress. Voting across the United States takes place on Tuesday.