Alaska governor orders probe into Democratic campaign's alleged links to same-name candidate
The Republican governor was responding to allegations in the New York Times that Democrats recruited a spoiler candidate, Dan Sullivan.
The Republican governor of Alaska has ordered an investigation into an alleged "scheme" designed "to manipulate Alaska's elections".
Governor Mike Dunleavy said he was responding to a New York Times (NYT) report, external. The story said the team of Democratic candidate Mary Peltola worked with people who tried to recruit a man to contest the Senate race who shares their name with Peltola's opponent, Dan Sullivan.
Sullivan, the incumbent senator, and fellow Republicans have accused the Democrats of trying to confuse voters. President Donald Trump has called for Peltola to be barred.
"I am therefore directing the Department of Public Safety to investigate whether this scheme violated Alaska's laws and whether criminal charges or civil action are warranted," he wrote. "The evidence will determine what happens next."