The FBI has interviewed a former Alaska Republican lawmaker as part of an expanding investigation into a controversial ballot scheme involving the state's U.S. Senate race. The operative allegedly posed as a conservative recruiter to persuade the lawmaker to enter the race, in a move that parallels concerns about a plan to place multiple candidates named Dan Sullivan on the ballot to confuse voters.
Former state Rep. David Eastman told Fox News Digital that he was approached by an operative, identified as Jerid Kurtz, who claimed to represent conservative donors and encouraged him to run for the Senate. Eastman stated the operative used a false name and did not disclose an intention to confuse voters during their meeting in April. However, Eastman later connected Kurtz to the alleged candidate recruitment effort described in media reports.
Eastman also confirmed that the FBI has interviewed him regarding the matter. Fox News Digital has reached out to the FBI for comment.
The allegations suggest a potential violation of federal law, with Article III Project attorney Will Chamberlain arguing that a coordinated effort to deceive voters about a candidate's identity could violate 18 U.S.C. § 241, the federal conspiracy-against-rights statute. Chamberlain explained that conspiring to place similarly named candidates on the ballot to trick voters into supporting one over another, when they intended to vote for the incumbent, could constitute a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
These revelations follow reports, including from The New York Times, detailing how former campaign staff for Democratic Senate nominee Mary Peltola were aware of a scheme to add other "Dan Sullivans" to the ballot. The aim was reportedly to siphon votes from incumbent Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan. The ballot ultimately included Peltola, Sen. Dan S. Sullivan, Republican Gerald Heikes, and retired Petersburg teacher Dan J. Sullivan.
This controversy has drawn attention from Capitol Hill. House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., requested Kurtz's appearance for a transcribed interview concerning allegations that operatives associated with Peltola's campaign sought to recruit similarly named candidates to confuse voters. Comer warned that compulsory process would be considered if Kurtz did not voluntarily appear.
Federal investigators are examining whether Democratic political operatives improperly recruited Dan J. Sullivan in an effort to confuse voters. The Wall Street Journal reported that Dan J. Sullivan reportedly "vanished" as investigators began inquiries in his community. Representatives for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, Peltola’s campaign, and Wingspan Strategies, where Kurtz is named as a co-owner in congressional documents, have been contacted for comment.