TRUMP-ORDERED DOJ LAWSUIT BLOCKED: What’s Next in Alaska Senate Race?

In a shocking twist, a federal judge has dismissed the Justice Department's lawsuit seeking to block certification of Alaska's U.S. Senate race if Republican Sen. Dan S. Sullivan loses. The lawsuit, which was brought by the Trump administration, alleged that a retired teacher named Dan J. Sullivan was a Democratic plant whose purpose was to siphon away votes from the Republican incumbent. The investigation, which has been underway for months, has led to a significant surge of law enforcement assets to the state. The outcome of the fight could have enormous national implications, as Democrats need to win at least a few Senate races in historically Republican states to secure a majority in the chamber. The Senate candidates will appear on Alaska's midterm ballot, with the top four primary candidates being sent to the general election regardless of party. The unique way elections work in Alaska has made it possible for ballot-stacking to occur, where operatives aligned with the Peltola campaign convinced Dan J. Sullivan to enter the race to help Mary Peltola win. The Trump administration's lawsuit argued that a Democratic victory should be considered invalid if Peltola wins by a margin smaller than the total number of votes that Dan J. Sullivan receives. However, the Department of Justice wrote in its legal filing that the State and its officers will fail in its obligation to protect the integrity of its election if they certify any electoral results tainted by the inclusion on the ballot of Daniel J. Sullivan. The suit argued that the appearance of confusion on the part of voters did not create legal grounds for the federal DOJ to have the results rejected. The ruling does not end the criminal investigation into how the second Sullivan got on the ballot. With the election just days away, voters will decide the race on Tuesday. The Justice Department is expected to appeal the ruling, while the federal criminal investigation, Dunleavy's state investigation, and the House Oversight Committee's inquiry continue.

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