Federal Judge Dismisses Trump Bid to Halt Alaska Senate Certification
Judge Sharon Gleason ruled the government lacked standing to sue, citing a naming conflict between two candidates in the November race.
By Dominic Foster ·
U.S. District Judge Sharon Gleason dismissed the federal government’s lawsuit aimed at blocking the certification of the Alaska Senate election results if the Republican incumbent loses.
The ruling, released on Sunday, determined that the federal government does not possess the legal authority to bring the case. The Justice Department cited the preamble of the National Voter Registration Act in its filings. Attorneys for the department are expected to appeal the decision.
President Trump initiated the lawsuit due to a perceived naming conflict on the ballot. The race features four candidates, including Sen. Dan Sullivan, the Republican incumbent, and Daniel Sullivan Jr., an unaffiliated candidate. The administration argued the similar names created confusion that warranted federal intervention.
The dispute follows a state court process in which Alaska’s Republican Party attempted to remove Sullivan Jr. from the ballot. The Alaska Supreme Court rejected that effort in June, ruling that the non-incumbent had the right to run. Republican officials have long alleged that Democrats supported Sullivan Jr. to split the vote and help the incumbent win reelection.
Gov. Mike Dunleavy, a Republican, ordered an investigation into the campaign activities. He indicated on Friday that the state may delay certifying the race’s outcome based on the investigation’s findings. During an interview with NewsNation, Dunleavy stated that if wrongdoing is found, the certification process will stop or change.
U.S. Attorney Michael Heyman announced on Friday in Anchorage that the Justice Department is conducting an ongoing criminal probe. The Democratic candidate, former Rep. Mary Peltola, has denied any involvement in recruiting the unaffiliated candidate. A New York Times report suggested Democratic operatives recruited Sullivan Jr., a claim NPR has not independently confirmed.
