DoJ sues to block Alaska from certifying Senate race if incumbent Sullivan loses

The Justice Department sued Alaska in federal court in Anchorage on Thursday, seeking to block certification of the Senate race if Republican incumbent Sen. Dan S. Sullivan loses. Sullivan faces Democrat Mary Peltola in a close contest that could decide Senate control; Democrats need a net four seats in November. Reuters CNN

The suit targets retired schoolteacher Daniel J. Sullivan, the near-identical name, seeking to block certification pending an investigation of whether his votes “were meant to be cast for Senator Sullivan.” USA Today It alleges he aimed to mislead the incumbent’s supporters and that “the sole purpose of his candidacy is to benefit the Peltola campaign.” WSJ

The namesake appears without a party affiliation on the ballot; the incumbent is “Registered Republican” and “incumbent.” He won the primary 68,726 to 4,107. CNN Elections director Carol Beecher determined on June 15 he had “filed with a purpose to confuse or mislead” voters, not a “good-faith candidacy”; the state Supreme Court summarily approved keeping him on the Nov 3 ballot. USA Today

Trump took credit Friday: “I’m the one that said do it,” he told reporters. CNN Peltola spokesman Harry Child called it “a despicable political threat to overturn an election.” USA Today

Notre Dame professor Derek Muller called the theory “strange and unusual” and “one of the worst ones I’ve ever seen.” CNN A DoJ spokeswoman said it was consistent with the National Voter Registration Act, to ensure “this frivolous candidacy does not undermine the integrity of Alaska’s election.” WSJ