Blanche says Trump isn't trying to meddle with Alaska election results by suing over Senate race

What the lawsuit seeks

The Justice Department filed suit in Alaska on Thursday. Blanche said the case is intended to preserve evidence of possible voter confusion and establish conditions for how officials handle certification.

He told CBS that the lawsuit does not demand that the state withhold certification outright. Blanche said certification should be blocked only if a court finds confusion, rather than voters’ wishes, determined the result.

Two candidates named Sullivan

Republicans worry that retired teacher and school administrator Dan Sullivan could draw votes away from the incumbent senator. They fear that could benefit Peltola, a former congresswoman. Ballots will identify the senator as “Dan S. Sullivan,” a registered Republican and incumbent. The other candidate, “Daniel J. Sullivan Jr.,” will appear without a party affiliation.

Blanche and Trump defend action

Trump told reporters Sunday that he believed the ballot was unfair and said the senator should be identified by his title. He also said Friday that he was the person who had directed the administration to pursue the suit.

On CNN’s “State of the Union,” Blanche said Trump was not trying to overturn election results. Blanche, formerly Trump’s personal attorney, called a question about preparing for election challenges “crazy” and said the legal process should proceed.

Criticism from Alaska candidates

Peltola described the lawsuit as “just flagrant, flagrant corruption in my opinion” and called it a Republican diversion tactic. Murkowski, Alaska’s other Republican senator, also objected in a social media post.

Blanche said the administration hoped for a resolution that would work and that it had done nothing improper. The Senate contest is closely watched ahead of the Nov. 3 election.