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NewsWPLG Local 10October 23, 2026Miami-Dade County

Trump administration directs Justice Department to file lawsuit over Alaska Senate ballot with two Dan Sullivans

Photo: WPLG Local 10

The Trump administration directed the Justice Department to file a federal lawsuit seeking to block certification of Alaska's Senate election results if incumbent Republican Dan Sullivan loses. The legal challenge targets the presence of a second candidate named Daniel J. Sullivan on the ballot, whom Republicans allege was placed to siphon votes.

ElectionsLegal DisputesFederal GovernmentVoting
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Why It Matters

The lawsuit marks an unprecedented federal intervention in a state election process, raising questions about the Justice Department's role in challenging election outcomes.

Key Facts

  • The Trump administration directed the Justice Department to file a federal lawsuit concerning the Alaska Senate election.
  • The ballot features two candidates named Dan Sullivan: a Republican incumbent and a retired school teacher named Daniel J. Sullivan Jr.
  • Republicans previously attempted to remove Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. from the ballot through the Alaska Supreme Court and lost.
  • The federal lawsuit asks the court to block election certification if the incumbent Republican loses.
  • The lawsuit cites the preamble of the National Voter Registration Act regarding election integrity.
  • Legal experts state the lawsuit has little chance of success because election administration is primarily a state affair.
  • The lawsuit requests a block on certification until an investigation determines if voters were confused by the two Sullivans.

Who's Mentioned

OrganizationJustice Department“Federal agency directed to file the lawsuit”PersonMary Peltola“Democratic candidate in the Alaska Senate race”PersonDaniel J. Sullivan“Retired school teacher running as an independent candidate on the Alaska ballot”PersonJoe Biden“Democratic President”OrganizationAlaska Supreme Court“State court where Republicans lost attempts to remove the second Sullivan from t”PersonTodd Blanche“Attorney General questioned about DOJ intervention”PersonDonald Trump“President whose administration took steps to block midterm election results”PersonDan Sullivan“Republican incumbent senator running on the Alaska ballot”PersonStanley Woodward“Top Justice Department official who signed the lawsuit”