Senate candidate leaves hometown as mystery swirls around high-stakes race: report

An independent Senate candidate whose name closely resembles Alaska’s Republican incumbent left his hometown days before the election, adding another unanswered question to a closely watched race, according to a CBS News exclusive report.

Daniel J. Sullivan departed Petersburg on Monday, multiple sources told the network. A former student saw him on a flight to Anchorage but did not know his ultimate destination.

Back home, CBS found no visible evidence of active campaigning, including outside his home. Dozens of residents said they had seen or received no campaign materials since he announced his candidacy last spring.

“I don't think it's a serious candidacy," fisherman Andrew Worhatch told CBS. "I haven't seen a platform.”

Sullivan’s departure came two days before The New York Times reported that operatives linked to Democrat Mary Peltola’s campaign recruited him. Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK) has called his similarly named opponent a “sham candidate.”

Peltola and national Democrats deny any connection. She said she “knew nothing about” the second Sullivan and was “not interested in tricking voters.”

The retired teacher has maintained that he genuinely wants to serve, according to CBS News. Supporter Keely Hankins defended him and said voters could distinguish the candidates.

“Just read the paper. It's not that hard,” she told the network.

The report does not establish why Sullivan traveled. A friend described him and his wife as “world travelers.”

Meanwhile, Gov. Mike Dunleavy ordered an investigation following the Times report, and the Trump DOJ expanded a criminal probe. Nobody has been charged, and a federal prosecutor refused to identify what, if any, crimes they were investigating.

The DOJ is separately seeking to block certification if the incumbent loses because of “voter confusion.”