The WatchlistWatch 24
This is a Watchlist entry. It is a developing story reported by credible outlets that hasn't reached a court ruling, official finding or documented harm yet. It says what to watch for. If that happens, it moves to The Record.
Suing to hold up Alaska's Senate certification if Sen. Dan Sullivan loses
Developing means: Reported by credible outlets, but no ruling, official finding or documented harm yet.
On Oct. 22, 2026, the Justice Department sued Alaska in federal court, asking that the U.S. Senate race not be certified if Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan loses to Democrat Mary Peltola by fewer votes than a second candidate named Daniel J. Sullivan receives, and that voter confusion be investigated. Trump said he ordered the suit.
What happened
Four candidates are on the ballot: Sen. Sullivan, Peltola, Gerald Heikes and Daniel J. Sullivan Jr., a retired teacher from Petersburg. This summer, at Republicans' request, the state tried to remove the challenger, saying he aimed to confuse voters, but the Alaska Supreme Court ruled in June that he could stay on the ballot; it lists him as Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. with no party and the senator as the Republican incumbent.
The only law the complaint cites is the National Voter Registration Act. Trump called the ballot 'totally confusing' and 'CHEATING' on Truth Social and said he was the one who told the department to sue. The state asked the judge to dismiss the suit immediately, saying it has no legal basis, that the registration law covers registration and not ballot counting or certification, that delaying certification only if one candidate loses would interfere with state election administration, and that investigating voters' intent would violate the secret ballot.
Peltola and nonprofit watchdog groups also asked for dismissal. Peltola's campaign called the suit 'a despicable political threat to overturn an election', Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski said the department 'should never have filed this lawsuit', and Joshua Douglas, a University of Kentucky law professor, called it a 'press release disguised as a lawsuit'.
U.S. District Judge Sharon Gleason granted an expedited schedule, noting that the department filed nearly four months after the Alaska Supreme Court's ruling and after voting had begun.
What to watch for
Whether Judge Gleason dismisses the suit, and, if Sen. Sullivan loses narrowly, whether the department asks the court to block or delay certification or to order an inquiry into voters' choices. A ruling either way would move this to The Record. If the suit is dropped, or the race is certified with no ruling, it comes off the list.
The administration's side
Attorney General Todd Blanche said the suit aims to preserve ballots so Alaska officials can determine whether voters were confused, and does not seek to stop voting or certification. A department spokesperson said it aims to keep a 'frivolous candidacy' from undermining the integrity of Alaska's election.
Sources
Permanent link: https://unredactedrecord.com/e/w-alaska/