DOJ sends target letter to Marc Elias in Alaska Senate probe

The U.S. Justice Department identified prominent Democratic attorney Marc Elias as a potential target in its criminal investigation of the Alaska Senate race. The move marks a widening of the probe into the contested election between incumbent Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan and former Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola. Two people familiar with the matter said the department issued a target letter to Elias and others on Tuesday.

Elias, who has represented Democratic campaigns and the party in election challenges for years, reacted to the news on Election Day. In a statement, he said the administration had weaponized the Justice Department against political opponents without evidence of wrongdoing. He described the timing as a surprise to no one and labeled the investigation a sham.

A target letter indicates that the department has gathered substantial evidence linking an individual to a possible crime. The agency regards the recipient as a potential defendant who faces a legitimate risk of indictment. While the department does not typically require targets to testify before a grand jury due to self-incrimination protections, receiving such a letter does not guarantee an indictment.

Alaska U.S. Attorney Michael Heyman told reporters in Anchorage that the investigation has been ongoing for several months. He noted that recent reports regarding the Peltola campaign's recruitment of a retired teacher named Dan J. Sullivan led to a surge of law enforcement assets in the state. More than 100 subpoenas have been issued as part of the inquiry, according to one person briefed on the probe.

The election in Alaska is one of several races expected to determine control of the U.S. Senate. The investigation focuses on potential voter confusion caused by the shared name between the Republican incumbent and a figure associated with the Democratic campaign. The Trump administration has faced challenges in securing grand jury indictments in politically sensitive cases in the past.

Elias said his firm would continue working around the clock to support its clients. He expressed confidence that President Trump and his party would face a defeat at the ballot box. The attorney did not return messages seeking further comment on the specific details of the investigation.

The development adds a layer of legal complexity to the final days of the campaign. The Justice Department's actions suggest a more aggressive posture in overseeing the integrity of the vote in the state.