The Elias Law Group, headed by Democratic attorney Marc Elias, is now linked to the expanding Alaska election scandal, according to a New York Times investigation. The firm's involvement has reignited scrutiny of Elias's history of aggressive election tactics, from the 2016 Russia hoax to recent gerrymandering battles.
The controversy centers on the Senate race between incumbent Republican Dan Sullivan and Democrat Mary Peltola. The Times reported that Peltola's campaign and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee allegedly recruited a candidate named Daniel J. Sullivan to confuse voters, a scheme that state and federal authorities are now investigating. Dozens of subpoenas have been issued in Alaska as part of the probe.
Peltola and Democratic officials have denied any involvement, but the Times report, citing former staffers, suggests she was aware of the decoy effort. The appearance of Elias's firm in the matter has raised eyebrows, given his track record of pushing legal boundaries in election disputes.
Elias's past includes serving as counsel to Hillary Clinton's 2016 campaign, which secretly funded the Steele dossier and promoted the false Alfa Bank conspiracy theory. The campaign concealed payments to Perkins Coie as legal fees, leading to an FEC sanction. Elias also faced criticism for threatening reporters with defamation suits over questions about North Carolina Senate candidate Roy Cooper's health.
His firm has been involved in controversial redistricting efforts, including a Maryland plan that a court ruled violated the state constitution, and a Virginia proposal that would have effectively abolished the state government. In 2024, Elias's team was accused of working to keep third-party candidates like Cornel West off swing state ballots, and his work for a Soros-funded PAC in Texas drew criticism from election watchdogs.
The Alaska decoy scheme, if proven, represents a new low in election manipulation. "It's one thing to fight over the rules, but to deliberately confuse voters is a different matter," said one election law expert. The federal probe is now examining whether the effort violated federal election laws.
Governor Mike Dunleavy has warned that certification of the Alaska election could be delayed if the investigation is not resolved. The DOJ has also accused Peltola of deceptive practices in related court filings.
Elias's defenders argue that he is a zealous advocate for Democratic causes, but critics see a pattern of unethical behavior. The Alaska scandal, with its name-alike candidate, has drawn national attention and could have implications for the Senate race's final outcome.
As the investigation unfolds, the question remains whether Elias will face consequences. Unlike Republican lawyers such as John Eastman, who was disbarred for his role in challenging the 2020 election, Elias has so far avoided professional sanctions. The disparity in treatment, some argue, highlights a double standard in legal accountability.
