FBI Interviews Alaska Lawmaker Over $10M Decoy Ballot Scheme

The FBI has spoken with former Alaska state Representative David Eastman regarding his claims that a Democratic operative posed as a conservative recruiter. Eastman alleges the operative attempted to persuade him to enter the U.S. Senate race. This inquiry coincides with a widening congressional review of the ballot strategy known as the 'Decoy Dan Sullivan' scheme.

Legal experts are now evaluating the federal criminal implications of the recruitment tactics. Will Chamberlain, an attorney with the Article III Project, noted that placing two individuals with identical names on a ballot to deceive voters may violate 18 U.S.C. § 241. He stated that if prosecutors prove a conspiracy to interfere with constitutional voting rights, the conduct could constitute a federal felony punishable by up to ten years in prison.

The controversy centers on reports that former staff for Democratic nominee Mary Peltola sought to stack Alaska’s four-person ballot. The strategy aimed to divert votes from incumbent Republican Senator Dan Sullivan by adding another candidate named Dan Sullivan. The final ballot included Peltola, Senator Dan S. Sullivan, Republican Gerald Heikes, and retired Petersburg teacher Dan J. Sullivan. It remains unproven whether the second candidate altered the election outcome.

Eastman, a Republican from the Matanuska-Susitna Valley, told Fox News Digital that he was approached in April in Wasilla. He identified the operative as Jerid Kurtz, a name also cited in a New York Times report. Eastman said Kurtz claimed to represent conservative donors seeking candidates for federal office. Eastman later determined these claims were false after Kurtz failed to mention either Dan Sullivan or the intent to confuse voters during their meeting.

Eastman also received mailers framed as 'meet the candidates' pieces that omitted Senator Sullivan. These documents suggested the 'Decoy Dan' was the primary candidate. Federal investigators are now examining whether operatives improperly recruited Dan J. Sullivan. The Wall Street Journal reported that Dan J. Sullivan reportedly left his remote community as investigators began visiting local residents.

House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman James Comer, a Republican from Kentucky, issued a letter on October 29. Comer requested that Kurtz appear for an in-person transcribed interview on November 6. Comer stated that Kurtz, a co-owner of Wingspan Strategies, possesses information vital to the Committee's investigation. He warned that the Committee may use compulsory process if Kurtz does not voluntarily appear.

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, Peltola’s campaign, and Wingspan Strategies have been contacted for comment. Eastman confirmed the FBI interview and continues to question the operative's intentions based on reporting linking Kurtz to the recruitment effort.