Trump's DOJ Sues to Block Alaska Senate Certification If Republican Loses

The Justice Department sued Alaska late on Oct. 22, 2026, asking a federal judge to block certification of the U.S. Senate race if Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan loses to Democrat Mary Peltola. The suit targets a second ballot candidate, Daniel J. Sullivan, a Petersburg resident with no party affiliation whom Republicans call a "ghost candidate" meant to split votes; the Alaska Supreme Court reinstated him in June after state Republicans tried to remove him. DOJ wants certification withheld "pending an investigation" into whether votes for Daniel J. Sullivan were intended for the incumbent. Trump told reporters, "I'm the one that said do it."

Legal scholars across the spectrum called the suit unprecedented. Florida State's Michael Morley called it "frivolous and will be quickly dismissed," and George Mason's Ilya Somin said the theory would likely violate the First Amendment and that DOJ identified no statute letting a court withhold certification over post-election voter-confusion concerns. Attorney General Todd Blanche said DOJ does not intend to improperly interfere with certification.

The suit is pending in federal court in Alaska. Early voting is underway, and ranked-choice tabulation begins Nov. 18 if no candidate tops 50%. No ruling has been issued.