DOJ Accelerates Criminal Investigation in Alaska Senate Race Over 'Sham Candidate' Allegations

The Department of Justice has accelerated its criminal investigation into the Alaska Senate race, following reports that aides to a Democratic Senate candidate allegedly recruited a retired schoolteacher with the same name as the Republican incumbent to appear on the ballot. The DOJ is also pursuing civil action to potentially block the certification of Alaska's Senate results if the incumbent loses a close race due to the presence of the nonpartisan candidate. This development comes as the campaign for control of the U.S. Congress enters its final weekend.