Daniel J. Sullivan left his Alaska hometown before Senate election

Key points

• Daniel J. Sullivan, an independent Senate candidate in Alaska, left his hometown of Petersburg this week.
• Petersburg residents told CBS News they saw no campaign materials or active campaigning by Sullivan.
• Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy ordered an investigation and the Justice Department ramped up a criminal probe; nobody has been charged.

Daniel J. Sullivan, an independent candidate for U.S. Senate in Alaska whose name is nearly identical to Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan, left his hometown of Petersburg earlier this week, multiple sources told CBS News. One resident and former student said she saw him on a flight to Anchorage on Monday, two days before The New York Times first reported he was recruited by operatives linked to Democrat Mary Peltola's campaign.

Dozens of Petersburg residents told CBS News they never saw or received campaign materials such as mailers, flyers, brochures or signs since the former elementary school teacher announced his candidacy last spring. A CBS News crew in the town of around 3,000, accessible only by air or sea, found no sign of active campaigning, including outside his own home.

Mixed views in Petersburg

Petersburg fisherman Andrew Worhatch said of the candidacy, "I don't think it's a serious candidacy," adding that he has not seen a platform. Supporter Keely Hankins said she has known Sullivan for a long time and believes he is the only candidate capable of representing Southeast Alaska. Darla Kowalski said it is embarrassing for the town to be linked to what she called a hoaxer.

I don't think it's a serious candidacy

— Andrew Worhatch

Investigations and denials

Republicans have argued Sullivan was seeking to confuse voters, with Sen. Dan Sullivan calling him a "sham candidate." State election officials initially deemed him ineligible for the ballot, but state courts reversed that decision. The Peltola campaign and national Democrats have denied any connection to Daniel J. Sullivan, and Peltola said she is "not interested in tricking voters."

After the Times' reporting, Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy ordered an investigation and the Justice Department ramped up a criminal probe. Nobody has been charged with a crime. The Justice Department is also suing in civil court to block the election from being certified if Sen. Dan Sullivan loses due to voter confusion.