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Watchdog Refers DOJ Over Alleged Election Law Violations in Alaska Race
Confirmed
In Short: An independent watchdog group, the American Accountability Foundation (AAF), has referred the Justice Department for possible illegal coordination in an ad campaign targeting incumbent Republican Senator Dan Sullivan in his race against Democratic candidate Mary Peltola.
An independent watchdog group, the American Accountability Foundation (AAF), has referred the Justice Department for possible illegal coordination in an ad campaign targeting incumbent Republican Senator Dan Sullivan in his race against Democratic candidate Mary Peltola.
The referral alleges that the ads, which aim to damage Sullivan's campaign, may have violated federal election laws by coordinating with multiple organizations and nonprofits, including Majority Forward, the 907 Initiative, the Midnight Sun Independence Fund, and Midnight Sun PAC.
According to AAF, the ads titled 'Tell Dan Sullivan: Stop Raising Our Costs' and another about healthcare costs, feature the same footage, graphics, and call-to-action phone number, raising questions about possible coordination.
The watchdog group claims that the ads, which appeared on Google and other platforms, may have been funded by different organizations but with the same content, potentially violating the law that prohibits contributions in the name of another person.
The AAF referral also highlights the Majority Forward campaign's spending of at least $3.5 million during the 90 days leading up to the primary election, though this figure is based on voluntary disclosures by digital platforms.
Sullivan is running as a Republican to draw votes away from the incumbent senator, giving his Democratic opponent, Mary Peltola, an advantage in the general election.
The Alaska Republican Party has previously asked state election officials to remove Sullivan from the ballot, citing concerns over his candidacy.
Both avenues could open the door for prosecutions under federal election law, as the communication must refer to a clearly identified federal candidate within 90 days of the primary or general election.
The top four candidates, regardless of political party, advance to the general election in November, under Alaska’s open primary system where all candidates for an office run against each other in the primary election.
Background
The Alaska State Senate is the upper house in the Alaska State Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Alaska. It convenes in the Alaska State Capitol in Juneau, Alaska and is responsible for making laws and confirming or rejecting gubernatorial appointments to the state cabinet, commissions and boards.
What's confirmed
- An independent watchdog group, the American Accountability Foundation (AAF), has referred the Justice Department for possible illegal coordination in an ad campaign targeting incumbent Republican Senator Dan Sullivan in his race against Democratic candidate Mary Peltola.
- The referral alleges that the ads, which aim to damage Sullivan's campaign, may have violated federal election laws by coordinating with multiple organizations and nonprofits, including Majority Forward, the 907 Initiative, the Midnight Sun Independence Fund, and Midnight Sun PAC.
- According to AAF, the ads titled 'Tell Dan Sullivan: Stop Raising Our Costs' and another about healthcare costs, feature the same footage, graphics, and call-to-action phone number, raising questions about possible coordination.
- The watchdog group claims that the ads, which appeared on Google and other platforms, may have been funded by different organizations but with the same content, potentially violating the law that prohibits contributions in the name of another person.
- The AAF referral also highlights the Majority Forward campaign's spending of at least $3.5 million during the 90 days leading up to the primary election, though this figure is based on voluntary disclosures by digital platforms.
- Sullivan is running as a Republican to draw votes away from the incumbent senator, giving his Democratic opponent, Mary Peltola, an advantage in the general election.
- The Alaska Republican Party has previously asked state election officials to remove Sullivan from the ballot, citing concerns over his candidacy.
- Both avenues could open the door for prosecutions under federal election law, as the communication must refer to a clearly identified federal candidate within 90 days of the primary or general election.
- The top four candidates, regardless of political party, advance to the general election in November, under Alaska’s open primary system where all candidates for an office run against each other in the primary election.
What's still developing
- “This allegation is patently false,” a spokesperson for 907 Initiative previously told The New York Post.
- Republicans have claimed that the alternative candidate, Dan J.
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- Majority Forward is a Democratic-aligned 501(c)(4) non-profit advocacy group based in Washington, D.C. affiliated with New York Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer’s Senate Majority PAC.