Justice Department Challenges Alaska Senate Election Certification

By October 25, 2026, Attorney General Todd Blanche commented on the Justice Department’s actions in relation to the Alaska Senate election. Appearing on Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan, Blanche explained the department’s intention to set “guardrails” if confusion about the second Dan Sullivan on the ballot affects the election outcome.

The Justice Department has filed a lawsuit to challenge the certification of the race if incumbent Republican Senator Dan Sullivan loses to Democratic candidate Mary Peltola. This race is closer than expected, occurring in a state that former President Trump won by a significant margin in 2024. The complexity arises from Alaska’s top-four primary and ranked-choice voting system.

Daniel J. Sullivan, a former teacher sharing the name with the sitting senator, entered the race, prompting the incumbent to seek his removal from the ballot. Initially deemed ineligible due to efforts to confuse voters, Daniel J. Sullivan’s inclusion was later confirmed by the state Supreme Court, allowing both names on the ballot.

Blanche emphasized that the DOJ’s lawsuit does not demand the election not be certified but noted that certification should depend on the will of the voters, not confusion. He highlighted that results might reveal voters’ confusion from the way they rank candidates.

The lawsuit was filed 11 days before Election Day, a timing explained by Blanche as a response to the expectation that the state Supreme Court would clarify its ruling. He stressed that the issue has been a subject of concern for some time.

Former President Trump reportedly endorsed this legal approach, though Blanche was unaware of the specific individuals Trump referred to in his comments.

Republican Senator Thom Tillis expressed concern over the necessity of the lawsuit but acknowledged the importance of addressing ballot clarity to prevent confusion, which might favor Peltola’s candidacy.

In contrast, Alaska’s Senator Lisa Murkowski opposed the Justice Department’s actions, stating that Alaskans are capable of voting for their preferred candidates without external interference. She praised the state’s efforts to distinguish candidates on the ballot.

Mary Peltola’s campaign described the DOJ’s lawsuit as a political threat to election integrity, pledging to ensure that every eligible Alaskan voter can participate without outside interference.