President Donald Trump has intensified his criticism of Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski as the Alaska Senate race heats up. He labeled the longtime senator as one of the worst members of the chamber during a dispute over the state’s election system.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump called ranked-choice voting a “TOTAL DEMOCRAT SCAM meant to confuse the Voter.” He accused Murkowski of opposing a Justice Department lawsuit because she wanted Democrats to win. Trump described Murkowski as the “Republicans’ Worst Senator” and a “DISGRACE to Alaska and our Country.” He claimed she benefited from the voting system in a previous election, stating she won unexpectedly.
Trump supports Republican Senator Dan Sullivan in his reelection against Democrat Mary Peltola. He accused Democrats of attempting to divert votes to Daniel J. Sullivan, a retired schoolteacher running as a Republican. Trump urged Alaskans to vote “YES” on Ballot Measure 2, proposing to repeal ranked-choice voting. He claimed his administration brought substantial benefits to Alaska.
The dispute gained national attention when the Trump administration filed a lawsuit to block certification of Alaska’s Senate election results under certain conditions. This challenge raises questions about federal intervention in state elections with Senate control potentially at risk.
Newsweek reached out to Murkowski’s office and the White House for comments.
Understanding Ranked-Choice Voting
Ranked-choice voting (RCV) allows voters to rank candidates from first to last choice. The results funnel into a two-person race leading to a final result. If no candidate secures over 50 percent of the vote, the lowest-ranked candidate gets eliminated. Ballots are then redistributed until one candidate surpasses the threshold.
Justice Department Lawsuit on Alaska Election
The Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a lawsuit to halt certification of Alaska’s Senate results if Senator Dan Sullivan isn’t victorious. The federal lawsuit highlights the presence of two Republican candidates with similar names on the ballot. The administration argues this could confuse voters and affect the race’s outcome.
Trump confirmed directing the DOJ to pursue this lawsuit. He stated, “I’m the one that said ‘do it.'”
Critics, including voting-rights experts, question the legal arguments and the ability to gauge voter intent after voting. Senator Murkowski stated Alaska has clearly distinguished candidates and criticized the DOJ’s involvement.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche defended the lawsuit, saying it aims to ensure ballot preservation. He emphasized that the DOJ did not coordinate with campaigns or candidates.
Polls Show Competitive Race Between Sullivan and Peltola
Polling indicates a close race between Sullivan and Peltola. An InsiderAdvantage poll shows Peltola ahead of Sullivan by 50 to 48 percent. Another survey from Data for Progress suggests Peltola leads Sullivan 51 to 49 percent in a simulated round of ranked-choice voting. Sullivan’s net favorability declined, with 44 percent viewing him favorably and 54 percent unfavorably, marking his lowest ratings.
Contact Newsweek editors Matthew Robinson and Trevor Davies for more on this story.
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