House Oversight Democrat says Alaska should investigate Peltola allegations

Robert Garcia, the senior Democrat on the US House Oversight Committee, said Alaska should investigate allegations surrounding Democratic Senate candidate Mary Peltola’s campaign. Speaking to CNN, he said accusations about an election should be examined at state level, while reaffirming his support for Peltola and criticising the Republican-led congressional inquiry. His comments followed reporting that Peltola aides and other Democrats had helped recruit a candidate named Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. to run against Republican incumbent Senator Dan S. Sullivan, potentially confusing voters or dividing his support.

Committee chair James Comer has sought interviews with Peltola’s former campaign manager, Elisa Rios, and Democratic operative Jerid Kurtz. Alaska’s governor has ordered a separate state investigation, and the US Justice Department has issued further subpoenas in its criminal inquiry. Peltola says she knew nothing of an effort to recruit the other Sullivan and has denied trying to trick voters; Sullivan Jr. has also denied running at Democrats’ behest. The Alaska Supreme Court ruled that he was qualified to appear on the ballot. The investigations have not established that Peltola broke the law.