Todd Blanche challenges Dana Bash for only citing part of Constitution during heated election clash

Dispute over Alaska ballot ruling

On CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday, Blanche and Bash discussed the Justice Department’s lawsuit concerning Alaska’s Senate race. Bash referred to an Alaska Supreme Court ruling that let Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. stay on the ballot.

Sullivan Jr. has the same name as Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan, who is the incumbent. The race was described as closely watched.

Blanche calls for fuller text

Blanche objected to CNN showing only the opening portion of the Elections Clause. He urged the network to display the provision’s remaining language. The constitutional passage gives state legislatures authority to set procedures for congressional elections and allows Congress to make or change those rules. The exchange centered on Article I, Section 4.

Constitutional powers at issue

The clause addresses how congressional elections are regulated, including responsibilities held by states and Congress. Blanche’s challenge focused on presenting both parts of that arrangement during the discussion.

The debate took place in the context of the DOJ lawsuit over the two similarly named candidates. The article does not provide further details about the lawsuit’s claims or the court’s ruling.