NewsWFLA News Channel 8October 23, 2026Hillsborough County
Justice Department files lawsuit to block Alaska Senate election certification if incumbent loses
Photo: WFLA News Channel 8
The Trump administration filed a lawsuit on Thursday in the U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska seeking to block the certification of Alaska's Senate election results if incumbent Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan loses. The filing argues that the presence of another candidate named Daniel J. Sullivan on the ballot causes voter confusion and is intended to mislead voters.
Read the full story at WFLA News Channel 8Why It Matters
The outcome of the Alaska Senate race could determine control of the U.S. Senate, and the federal lawsuit introduces a direct legal challenge to the validity of the state's election results before voters finish casting ballots in the general election.
Key Facts
- The Trump administration filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska on Thursday.
- The lawsuit aims to block certification of the Alaska Senate election if incumbent Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan loses.
- The filing claims that candidate Daniel J. Sullivan entered the race with the intention of misleading supporters of the incumbent.
- Democrat Mary Peltola leads in recent polls and Decision Desk HQ polling averages for the Senate seat.
- Cook Political Report classifies the Alaska Senate race as a toss up with early voting underway.
- Alaska Elections Director Carol Beecher previously investigated Daniel J. Sullivan's candidacy and concluded he could not appear on the ballot.
- A Superior Court judge ruled that the challenger could remain on the ballot for the state's Aug. 18 primary.
- General election ballots list 'Dan S. Sullivan' with a note highlighting his party and incumbent status, and 'Daniel J. Sullivan Jr' without a party affiliation.
- Alaska uses ranked-choice voting for the general election.
Who's Mentioned
PersonPresident Trump“Won Alaska by double digits in the last presidential race”PersonDan S. Sullivan“Incumbent candidate listed on the general election ballot”OrganizationThe Hill“Publisher of the news article”OrganizationDecision Desk HQ“Provided polling averages for the Senate race”OrganizationSuperior Court“Court where Daniel J. Sullivan appealed his ballot inclusion”OrganizationU.S. District Court for the district of Alaska“Court where the lawsuit was filed”PersonMary Peltola“Democrat running in the Alaska Senate race”PersonCarol Beecher“Alaska Division of Elections Director”OrganizationAlaska Division of Elections“Investigated Daniel J. Sullivan's run”OrganizationCook Political Report“Classified the race as a toss up”PersonDaniel J. Sullivan Jr“Challenger candidate listed without a party affiliation on the general election ”PersonDan Sullivan“Incumbent Republican Senator running for reelection in Alaska”PersonDaniel J. Sullivan“Candidate with a similar name to the incumbent who appeared on the ballot”OrganizationTrump administration“Filed the lawsuit through the Justice Department”