A federal judge has dismissed an unusual lawsuit filed by the Trump administration that sought to block the certification of results from an important Senate race in Alaska if the Republican incumbent, Dan Sullivan, were to lose.
U.S. District Judge Sharon Gleason issued the ruling on Sunday, stating that the federal government does not have the standing to pursue the case. Attorneys from the Justice Department had referenced the preamble of the National Voter Registration Act as part of their argument and now plan to appeal the decision.
President Trump initiated the lawsuit due to concerns about the ballot, which features two candidates with similar names: incumbent Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan and Daniel Sullivan Jr., who is unaffiliated with any political party.
Prior to this case, the Alaska Republican Party supported efforts in state court to disqualify Sullivan Jr. from appearing on the ballot. However, in June, the Alaska Supreme Court ruled in favor of Sullivan Jr.’s right to run.
Allegations have persisted within Republican circles that Democrats are promoting Sullivan Jr. as a spoiler candidate to undermine Sen. Sullivan’s chances of reelection. A recent report from the New York Times alleged that Democratic campaign operatives attempted to recruit Sullivan Jr., although NPR has not independently verified these claims. In response, Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy ordered an investigation, indicating that certification of the race results may be contingent on the findings of this inquiry.
“If we find out there’s wrongdoing, and if that means that the certification then is stopped or changed, then that’s what happens,” Dunleavy stated during an interview with NewsNation on Friday.
U.S. Attorney Michael Heyman also noted at a press conference in Anchorage that an “ongoing” criminal investigation is being conducted by the Justice Department.
Democratic candidate Mary Peltola, a former U.S. Representative, has denied any involvement in the alleged activities surrounding the race.
