Judge rejects Trump-backed lawsuit over Alaska Senate race certification

A judge has dismissed a lawsuit backed by Donald Trump that aimed to prevent the certification of Alaska’s U.S. Senate race in the event that Republican incumbent Dan Sullivan loses. Trump announced on October 23 that he had instructed the Justice Department to file the lawsuit, which experts described as an unprecedented federal intervention in the electoral process.

The Justice Department argued that the presence of two candidates named Dan Sullivan on the November ballot could create "voter confusion," potentially benefiting Democratic nominee Mary Peltola. Sullivan, in a recent interview, affirmed that he would accept the election results, stating, "No, I’m going to accept the election results."

Sullivan also expressed skepticism about Peltola's claims of ignorance regarding a campaign strategy that involved recruiting another candidate with his name to siphon votes. He accused her of misleading Alaskan voters, asserting, "She’s continually lying to the Alaskan people. And I guarantee you, she’s lying right now." Despite the controversy, Sullivan indicated that his focus remains on winning the race outright rather than pursuing legal challenges against Peltola's campaign.