Federal Judge Dismisses Trump Administration’s Lawsuit in Alaska Senate Race

President Trump was present at a campaign rally in Wasilla, Alaska, while Republican Senator Dan Sullivan, who is campaigning for reelection, addressed the crowd. A federal judge has dismissed an unusual attempt by the Trump administration to prevent the certification of election results in an important U.S. Senate race in Alaska if the Republican incumbent is defeated.

The decision was announced on Sunday by U.S. District Judge Sharon Gleason, who stated that the federal government lacks the authority to initiate such a lawsuit. The Justice Department’s attorneys, who referenced the National Voter Registration Act’s preamble in their arguments, plan to appeal Gleason’s ruling. Judge Gleason was nominated by former President Barack Obama.

President Trump claimed the lawsuit was filed because two candidates on Alaska’s ballot share similar names. Senator Dan Sullivan, the sitting Republican, and Daniel Sullivan Jr., an independent, are both running. The Republican Party of Alaska had previously attempted to remove Sullivan Jr. from the ballot through state court action. However, in June, the Alaska Supreme Court affirmed Sullivan Jr.’s right to stand for election.

Accusations from Republicans that Democrats are supporting Sullivan Jr. to undermine Senator Sullivan’s reelection chances have surrounded this contentious Senate race. A report by the New York Times about Democratic efforts to recruit Sullivan Jr. added to these accusations, though NPR has not verified this report independently.

The Republican Governor of Alaska, Mike Dunleavy, has initiated an investigation and suggested the race outcome might not be certified depending on the investigation’s findings. “If we discover wrongdoing and it affects certification, then it will be addressed,” Dunleavy said in an interview with NewsNation.

During a press conference in Anchorage, U.S. Attorney Michael Heyman mentioned that the Justice Department is conducting a “continuing” criminal investigation. Democratic candidate and former Representative Mary Peltola has denied any participation in the allegations.