Alaska’s Department of Law reiterated on Wednesday that the federal lawsuit filed by the Trump administration will not alter the state’s Senate ballot. The department’s spokesperson, Sam Curtis, emphasized that candidate eligibility is governed by state law, not by the Justice Department’s interpretation of a federal statute.
State officials stand firm on ballot rules
Curtis pointed to the Alaska Supreme Court’s recent order confirming that retired teacher Daniel J. Sullivan will appear on the ballot alongside incumbent Sen. Dan S. Sullivan. “Placing candidates on the ballot is a matter of state law, not federal law,” he said, adding that the Justice Department’s case “does not dictate what candidates can run in elections and does not authorize the relief the DOJ seeks.”
The department also noted its commitment to a fair election and to assisting voters as needed, underscoring the importance of state‑run election integrity.
Trump administration pushes for federal intervention
President Trump, who has traveled to Alaska in recent weeks, has publicly urged the Justice Department to intervene in the race. On Truth Social, he wrote, “So should the FAKE Dan Sullivan. Nothing else will do!” The President’s comments follow his long‑standing criticism of the Sullivan name‑confusion issue and his direction to the Justice Department to file the lawsuit.
Vice President JD Vance also visited Alaska, signaling the administration’s high priority on the Senate contest, which remains one of the nation’s most competitive races as Election Day approaches.
Legal experts weigh in
University of Southern California law professor Dean Franita Tolson said the New York Times report does not give the Justice Department’s lawsuit additional merit, noting that the federal government should not block certification simply because it dislikes a potential outcome.
Election‑law specialist Rick Hasen described the situation as “a more extreme version of what the parties do all the time,” where each side seeks a spoiler candidate to siphon votes. He cautioned that the federal suit is unlikely to succeed given the clear state‑law framework.
Political fallout
Sen. Dan S. Sullivan’s campaign accused Democratic candidate Mary Peltola of “gaslighting Alaskans” and suggested the Times story was part of a coordinated effort to deceive voters. The campaign spokesman, Nate Adams, said the administration’s lawsuit is an attempt to overturn the will of Alaskans.
Attorney General Todd Blanche, speaking on Fox News, framed the Times story as evidence that the Justice Department is justified in pursuing the unprecedented lawsuit. When pressed about any illegal conduct that would give the DOJ authority to intervene, Blanche could not provide a concrete answer.
What this means for Alaskans
Despite the federal push, Alaska’s election officials remain confident that the ballot will stay unchanged and that the state will conduct a fair election. The Department of Law has indicated it will continue to assist voters and ensure the certification process proceeds according to state law.
As the race tightens, voters can expect continued rhetoric from both national and local actors. The ultimate decision on whether the Justice Department’s suit will affect the certification timeline rests with the courts, but Alaska officials maintain that state authority prevails.
Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.
