Judge blocks DOJ bid to delay Alaska Senate certification as Sullivan vows to accept results
Federal Judge Sharon Gleason rejected the Justice Department’s attempt to delay certification of the Alaska Senate race, ruling that the government lacked standing and that segregating ballots would violate voter secrecy. Incumbent Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan stated he would accept the election outcome regardless of the result, while accusing Democratic challenger Mary Peltola of orchestrating a spoiler campaign. Peltola denied involvement in recruiting a second candidate named Dan J. Sullivan, asserting she won on her own merits. The race remains critical for Senate control, with Democrats needing to flip seats to maintain a majority.
Key points
- Judge Gleason dismissed the DOJ lawsuit, stating it is too late to force ballot segregation and that the federal government lacks standing to intervene in state certification.
- Sen. Dan Sullivan confirmed on CNN he would accept the election results even if he loses, but criticized Peltola for allegedly cheating by recruiting a namesake candidate.
- The DOJ sought to delay certification only if Sullivan lost and reallocating votes for Dan J. Sullivan would change the ranked-choice outcome.
- Peltola denied knowledge of the alleged scheme, calling the accusations offensive and stating she has won statewide elections without tricks.
- The New York Times reported that Peltola’s campaign and Democratic officials were involved in recruiting Dan J. Sullivan, a claim Peltola’s team denied.
Background
The dispute centers on allegations that Mary Peltola’s campaign recruited a retired teacher named Dan J. Sullivan to run as a spoiler against incumbent Dan S. Sullivan. Previous coverage noted that the FBI questioned donors and the DOJ launched a criminal probe, though no charges were filed. Alaska state officials and the state Supreme Court had previously upheld Dan J. Sullivan’s place on the ballot, arguing that ballot-stacking is not illegal and that the federal intervention violated voter secrecy laws. The race is pivotal for Senate control, with Democrats needing to flip four seats to maintain a majority.
How outlets are covering it
CNBC emphasized Sullivan’s public statement accepting the results while highlighting his accusations against Peltola and the DOJ’s conditional demand for delayed certification. CNN focused on the legal defeat of the DOJ’s lawsuit, quoting Judge Gleason’s ruling that the federal government’s plan was unworkable and violated voter secrecy. Both sources noted the New York Times report alleging Peltola’s involvement, but differed in emphasis: CNBC framed it as a political attack by Sullivan, while CNN framed it as part of a broader pattern of rejected federal interference in midterms.
Why it matters
The outcome determines which party controls the Senate for the remainder of the current administration’s term. A loss for Sullivan would shift power to Democrats, while a win would maintain Republican control. The legal rejection of the DOJ’s intervention sets a precedent for federal limits on state election certification in close races.
What to watch
Alaska will certify the election results after the ranked-choice vote is tallied. If Sullivan loses, the DOJ may appeal the judge’s ruling, though the court deemed the request too late for immediate action. Peltola and Sullivan will likely continue public exchanges regarding the spoiler allegations, but the legal battle over certification has been resolved in favor of the state.
- Alaska Sen. Sullivan says he'll accept election results, slams Peltola campaign’s reported recruitment of 2nd Sullivan CNBC
- Inside the Times’s Decisions on the Alaska Senate Race Story The New York Times
- Attorneys for Alaska say 'meritless' Trump demand to set aside Senate ballots 'not even possible' PBS
- Alaska Senator Sullivan’s Campaign X Account Suspended, Then Reinstated WSJ
- Judge throws out DOJ attempt to delay certification of Alaska Senate race CNN
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