DOJ Sends Target Letters to 20 Democrats, Including Election Lawyer Marc Elias, in Alaska Senate Probe

The Justice Department sent target letters to 20 Democrats and roughly 100 subpoenas — some to phone and email providers — over the week before Nov. 3, investigating an alleged scheme to recruit a second Senate candidate also named Dan Sullivan to confuse Alaska voters and hurt Republican Sen. Dan S. Sullivan. Recipients reportedly include Democratic election lawyer Marc Elias, a law partner, and a DSCC official, per unnamed sources cited by the New York Times. U.S. Attorney Michael Heyman said the probe, over possible donor fraud and conspiracy, has run for months.

Trump told Fox News the lawyer behind the alleged scheme "should go to jail, in my opinion." Elias called the letters a "sham investigation" meant to intimidate him on Election Day; Mary Peltola, the Democrat challenging Sullivan, denied knowing of the alleged spoiler candidate.

The probe escalates a separate DOJ suit to block certification if Sullivan loses, dismissed by a federal judge Nov. 1. DOJ declined to comment on the letters.