Tim Scott calls for DOJ investigation of Peltola campaign

Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) on Wednesday called on the Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate Democrat Mary Peltola’s campaign over reports that the team sought to recruit “spoiler” candidates in Alaska to affect next week’s election.

“There’s no doubt that Mary Peltola has been, at least her campaign and the Democrat apparatus, they are involved in collusion,” Scott told NewsNation’s Katie Pavlich. “They’ve been colluding together in a coordinated effort to deceive the voters.”

Scott added that, in his opinion, the effort amounts to “a criminal offense.”

“And I’m hoping that the DOJ will take a serious look at all of the evidence that leads in that direction,” he continued. “And factually speaking, when you have the receipt, so to speak, it leads you somewhere. I hope that the DOJ takes all the time necessary to prosecute and investigate this situation.

The South Carolina Republican accused Democrats of “deceiving voters, pretending to be what they’re not” in order to win races, mentioning Texas Senate candidate James Talarico (D) and South Carolina Senate candidate Annie Andrews (D) by name as examples.

“But now, as a candidate on TV, you would think that she’s something else,” Scott said. “And so having the facts are really important. But in Alaska, that’s criminal. And I think that there should be a serious investigation into that.”

The New York Times reported Wednesday that Peltola campaign aides and lawyers, along with Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) staffers, were involved in pushing other candidates, including Alaska Senate candidate Daniel J. Sullivan.

The campaign and DSCC have denied being involved with the reported effort.

Scott’s comments follow President Trump’s claim that Peltola’s campaign perpetuated “such a terrible scheme” and should be barred from running, making the unfounded claim that it was “ELECTION FRAUD.” Trump pointed to Daniel J. Sullivan’s name being on the ballot alongside incumbent Sen. Dan Sullivan (R) and said the Democrats should face prosecution.

Last week, the DOJ filed a lawsuit against Alaska over the two Sullivans’ names being on the ballot and claimed presence of a candidate with the same name as the sitting lawmaker would give Peltola an unfair advantage.

Peltola on Sunday asked a federal judge to dismiss the lawsuit, with her lawyers telling Reuters that the complaint was “wholly baseless.”

Attorney General Todd Blanche has said the DOJ’s lawsuit intends to ensure that when ballots are cast, Alaska election officials “have the information necessary to make a determination as to whether Alaskan voters were confused or mislead.”

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy (R) announced late Wednesday the state would open a probe into the controversy, and whether the alleged recruitment efforts violate state law.

The race is among the most contested of this election cycle as Republicans fight to maintain their control of Congress. The Cook Political Report rates the race as a toss-up, with The Hill’s election partner Decision Desk HQ forecasting a 61-percent probability that Peltola wins.