FBI probes 'Decoy Dan' ballot scheme after former lawmaker reports fake recruiter

Alaska’s 2024 Senate election featured four candidates, a configuration that has drawn federal scrutiny following new testimony from a former state legislator. The controversy centers on the placement of two candidates with the same name on the ballot, a move critics say was designed to split the vote for the incumbent Republican. The state’s electoral rules allow for multiple candidates with identical names, a fact that became central to the dispute.

Former state Representative David Eastman, a Republican from the Matanuska-Susitna Valley, told Fox News Digital that he was interviewed by the FBI. Eastman stated that a political operative approached him in April 2024 with the intent to recruit him for the U.S. Senate race. The operative, identified in a blog post by Eastman and in congressional documents as Jerid Kurtz, claimed to represent conservative donors. Eastman said none of those representations were true.

Eastman said Kurtz never mentioned Dan Sullivan or any plan to confuse voters during their meeting in Wasilla. However, Eastman received several mailers in the weeks following the meeting. The mailers were formatted as a 'meet the candidates' guide and listed a 'Decoy Dan' Sullivan while omitting the incumbent Senator Dan S. Sullivan. Eastman shared these documents with Fox News Digital to illustrate the pattern of communication he experienced.

The legal implications of the alleged scheme are being debated by attorneys who see potential federal criminal liability. Will Chamberlain, an attorney for the Article III Project, argued that the recruitment of a same-name candidate could violate 18 U.S.C. § 241. This statute covers federal conspiracies against rights. Chamberlain stated that the right to vote for a specific candidate is a constitutional right that can be injured by such a coordinated effort.

Chamberlain noted that while slanted messaging is generally legal, placing two individuals with the exact same name on a ballot to trick voters crosses a legal line. He cited historical cases of ballot manipulation as precedent. He warned that if prosecutors establish a conspiracy to interfere with voters' rights, the offense could be a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison. He acknowledged that no prior case involved the specific recruitment of a same-name candidate in this manner.

The allegations stem from reports by former campaign staff for Democratic Senate nominee Mary Peltola. These staffers spoke to the New York Times about a scheme to stack the ballot with other 'Dan Sullivans.' The goal was to siphon votes from incumbent Dan S. Sullivan. The ballot included Peltola, Dan S. Sullivan, Republican Gerald Heikes, and retired Petersburg teacher Dan J. Sullivan. It remains unproven whether the similarly named candidate actually diverted votes or changed the outcome of the election.

Congressional investigators have moved to gather more information on the matter. House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman James Comer sent a letter on October 29 requesting that Kurtz appear for an in-person transcribed interview on November 6. Comer stated that Kurtz, who is named as a co-owner of Wingspan Strategies in congressional documents, has information that will assist the committee's investigation. Comer warned that if Kurtz does not appear voluntarily, the committee will evaluate the use of compulsory process.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is currently examining whether Democratic operatives improperly recruited Dan J. Sullivan. According to the Wall Street Journal, Dan J. Sullivan reportedly vanished as investigators began visiting his remote community. The FBI has confirmed it interviewed Eastman. Fox News Digital reached out to the DSCC, Peltola’s campaign, and Wingspan Strategies for comment. Eastman said he questioned Kurtz's intentions after subsequent reporting connected the operative to the recruitment effort.

The investigation continues to expand as federal agencies and lawmakers seek to determine the extent of the coordination behind the ballot design. The focus remains on the specific actions taken by operatives associated with the Peltola campaign and the financial and logistical support provided by firms like Wingspan Strategies. The legal team for the Article III Project continues to monitor the case for potential federal filings.