Trump Administration Sues to Block Alaska Senate Election Certification
The Trump administration is asking a federal district court in Alaska to potentially block the certification of Alaska’s US Senate race if Republican incumbent Dan Sullivan loses to Democratic challenger Mary Peltola, marking the first major lawsuit of the 2026 midterms aimed at directly challenging election results.
Challenging the Alaska Ballot Structure
President Donald Trump and Dan Sullivan appeared at a campaign rally together in Wasilla, Alaska, on October 13, 2026. Ahead of the November 3 polls, the administration filed a lawsuit asking that election entities not certify any results impacted by voter confusion.
The legal filing argues that the race could be tainted because a second candidate named Daniel J. Sullivan appears on the ballot. The second candidate is no relation to the incumbent senator. The appearance of Daniel J. Sullivan on the ballot was already litigated after he was initially disqualified. Following a decision from the state’s highest court mandating his inclusion, he placed third in the August primary to earn a general election position alongside the top four vote-getters.
The lawsuit names Alaska’s state elections director and several state elections entities as defendants. It specifically requests that the court block the certification of the outcome if the incumbent Sullivan loses in the event that the second Daniel J. Sullivan attracts enough votes to alter the final result.
Obama Appointee Oversees Alaska Election Lawsuit
While the administration is getting an early start on litigating the midterms, past election challenges provide context for the current filing. Throughout 2020, Trump and his supporters brought forth numerous legal challenges regarding the vote that were mostly dismissed by judges. This specific Alaska lawsuit has been assigned to a judge appointed by President Barack Obama.
Polling suggests a close race between Dan Sullivan and Mary Peltola, a former US representative who may hold a slight lead.
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