FBI probes Double Dan election scheme

Two federal officials stood before reporters at noon on October 30, 2026, to explain a dual legal action surrounding the 2026 Senate race. U.S. Attorney Michael J. Heyman for the District of Alaska and FBI Special Agent in Charge Matthew Schlegel addressed the public's concerns about a specific candidate. The focus is Daniel J. Sullivan, a resident of Petersburg who shares a name with incumbent Senator Dan Sullivan.

The officials confirmed that two distinct legal processes are currently active. One is a civil lawsuit filed by the Department of Justice against the Alaska Division of Elections. The other is a criminal investigation conducted by the FBI. Heyman noted that while the civil case is public, the criminal probe remains under rules of secrecy. He stated that details from the criminal side generally cannot be shared with the civil side.

The Department of Justice seeks a court order to prevent the Division of Elections from certifying results under specific conditions. The lawsuit argues that if Senator Sullivan loses, but would have won had all votes for the Petersburg resident been counted for him, the state should not certify the loss. The Division of Elections and several other parties have filed motions to dismiss. These motions argue that the federal government lacks the legal authority to direct state election processes.

When asked what specific crime the FBI is investigating, Schlegel responded, "You are assuming there was a crime." He declined to list specific allegations but said the investigation looks for potential criminal behavior under several theories. The FBI has examined the matter for several months. Recently, the agency received several new pieces of information regarding the alleged conspiracy. The public can submit tips online at tips.fbi.gov/home.

Heyman defended the timing of the press conference, noting it occurred close to the election. He stated that the media, primarily The New York Times, had escalated the situation, prompting a response. He and Schlegel promised that they "will not let anyone or any group to undermine this election." Reporters asked about the legal basis for the lawsuit and the timeline of FBI knowledge. Those questions were left unanswered.

The civil case is now before the District of Alaska Court. The Department of Justice awaits a ruling on whether to pre-emptively block the certification of election results. The Division of Elections continues to fight the claim of federal overreach. The criminal investigation proceeds in parallel, with the FBI gathering evidence on the potential coordination behind the candidate's name.

Early voting for the 2026 general election is currently underway in Alaska. Residents can cast ballots at designated polling locations. The federal officials expect the legal proceedings to continue as the election approaches. Both the civil and criminal tracks remain active as of this week.