DOJ Sues Alaska to Block Senate Certification if Republican Dan Sullivan Loses
The U.S. Justice Department sued Alaska and its election authorities in federal court in Alaska, seeking to block certification of the 2026 Senate election if Republican incumbent Dan S. Sullivan loses to Democrat Mary Peltola. The suit cites potential voter confusion from a second Republican candidate, Daniel J. Sullivan Jr., on the ranked-choice ballot. Critics call the filing legally baseless and politically motivated; Attorney General Todd Blanche defended it in contentious interviews, while President Trump said he ordered it.
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DOJ's Alaska Election Lawsuit Called Inane and Impossible to Enforce
In an opinion article, The New Republic's Harry Litman argues that the Department of Justice's federal lawsuit over two Dan Sullivans on Alaska's Senate ballot is legally baseless and politically motivated. The complaint, filed in federal court in Alaska and signed by third-ranking DOJ official Stanley Woodward, seeks to block certification if Democrat Mary Peltola wins narrowly and votes for challenger Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. could have gone to incumbent Sen. Dan Sullivan. Litman says the DOJ's sole basis for a federal role is the preamble of the National Voter Registration Act, that there is no live dispute, and that the proposed remedy—investigating what voters 'meant'—is impossible under Alaska's secret ballot. He notes Alaska courts already resolved the ballot dispute and voters advanced Sullivan Jr. from the open primary. Litman concludes the suit is a grievance-stoking stunt that cannot win.
Justice Department Sues Alaska Over Two Dan Sullivans on Senate Ballot
The U.S. Justice Department has sued Alaska and its election authorities to block certification of the state's 2026 Senate election, arguing that the presence of two candidates named Dan Sullivan on the ballot could confuse Republican voters. The suit, filed less than two weeks before Election Day, asks that Alaska certify results only if incumbent Sen. Dan S. Sullivan wins, or if votes cast for the other Dan Sullivan (Daniel J. Sullivan) would have changed the outcome. White House advisor Stephen Miller and President Trump called the dual candidacy a Democratic dirty trick, while critics note the ranked-choice ballot labels the incumbent and that the DOJ has no authority over ballot access. The article argues the suit treats an election as fair only if the preferred candidate wins.
Read sourceTodd Blanche Defends DOJ Alaska Election Lawsuit in Heated Interviews
Attorney General Todd Blanche defended the Justice Department's lawsuit seeking to block Alaska from certifying its Senate election results if Republican incumbent Dan Sullivan loses, citing voter confusion over another Republican candidate named Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. on the ballot. In contentious appearances on CBS's Face the Nation and CNN's State of the Union, Blanche clashed with hosts Margaret Brennan and Dana Bash over the lawsuit's timing and political motives. Brennan noted the ballot clearly labels Sullivan as the registered Republican incumbent, while Bash quoted Trump's claim that Democrats are trying to steal the seat. Blanche refused to discuss his communications with Trump, denied political motivations, and grew visibly agitated when pressed on whether the administration was laying groundwork to overturn the election. The article characterizes the DOJ's intervention as highly abnormal and a blatant effort to swing ballots in Republicans' favor.
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DOJ Sues to Block Alaska Senate Certification if Republican Sullivan Loses
The Justice Department filed a lawsuit to block Alaska from certifying its Senate election results if Republican incumbent Dan Sullivan loses to Democrat Mary Peltola. The DOJ alleges the election should be nullified because another 'Daniel J. Sullivan' is also running as a Republican, claiming voter confusion could benefit Peltola. Critics, including the Center for American Progress's Bobby Kogan and the Lincoln Project's Rick Wilson, condemned the move as an attack on democracy. The lawsuit follows Attorney General Todd Blanche's admission that he was open to blocking state election certifications. The article notes it is extremely abnormal for the DOJ to be involved in election certification.
Read sourceTrump DOJ Sues to Block Alaska Senate Certification if Republican Loses
The Justice Department filed a lawsuit seeking to block Alaska from certifying its Senate election results if Republican incumbent Dan Sullivan loses to Democrat Mary Peltola. The suit argues the race should be nullified because another Republican, "Daniel J. Sullivan," is also on the ballot and could confuse voters, despite Dan Sullivan being listed as the incumbent. The DOJ claims the other candidate's sole purpose is to benefit Peltola by siphoning votes. The move drew alarm from critics including the Center for American Progress's Bobby Kogan, the Lincoln Project's Rick Wilson, and journalist Pedro L. Gonzalez, who said Trump is already interfering in the midterms. The lawsuit follows Attorney General Todd Blanche's admission that he was open to blocking states from certifying elections.