Judge tosses Trump attempt to block Alaska Senate results if GOP incumbent loses
Judge rejects federal lawsuit
U.S. District Judge Sharon Gleason ruled Sunday that the federal government lacked authority to bring its case. The administration had asked her to prevent Alaska officials from certifying the Senate results while an investigation examined whether voters might be confused by two similarly named candidates.
Gleason wrote that the requested relief could conflict with the right to vote by secret ballot. The Justice Department attorneys are expected to appeal; the department did not immediately respond to NPR’s request for comment.
Two candidates share names
President Trump said he ordered the lawsuit because the ballot lists Sen. Dan Sullivan, the Republican seeking reelection, and Daniel Sullivan Jr., who is unaffiliated with a political party. Alaska’s Republican Party previously backed a state-court effort to remove Sullivan Jr. from the ballot.
In June, the Alaska Supreme Court ruled that Sullivan Jr. could run. Claims that Democrats supported his candidacy to weaken the incumbent’s chances have continued to surround the closely watched race.
Allegations prompt investigations
A New York Times report about Democratic campaign operatives’ efforts to recruit Sullivan Jr. renewed attention to the claims. NPR said it had not independently confirmed the report.
Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy ordered an investigation and said certification could depend on its findings. U.S. Attorney Michael Heyman said at an Oct. 30 press conference in Anchorage that the Justice Department had an ongoing criminal probe. Democratic candidate and former Rep. Mary Peltola has denied involvement.
Voting continues in Alaska
Sullivan told CNN’s State of the Union on Sunday that he would accept the election outcome, whether he wins or loses. Voting has continued despite the dispute. More than 86,700 Alaskans had voted early, according to the state Division of Elections. Voting was scheduled to continue through Tuesday’s Election Day.
Key points
- Judge Sharon Gleason rejected the Trump administration’s bid to halt Alaska’s Senate-results certification.
- The case involved Dan Sullivan and Daniel Sullivan Jr., whose names appear similarly on the ballot.
- Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy ordered an investigation, while the Justice Department said its criminal probe was ongoing.
- More than 86,700 voters had cast early ballots, and voting was set to continue through Tuesday.