The U.S. Justice Department sued to stop Alaska from certifying the winner of its Nov. 3 Senate election if Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan loses, saying confusion with another candidate named Daniel J. Sullivan might have affected the result, and President Donald Trump said he ordered the lawsuit.
The complaint was filed in federal court on Oct. 22. It asks a judge to stop certification if votes for the second Sullivan could have changed the result under Alaska’s ranked-choice voting system. The other candidate, a retired teacher from Petersburg, is listed without a party label.
The incumbent is identified as a Republican. The Justice Department alleges that the similar names could mislead voters. It asks for an investigation into whether votes for Daniel J. Sullivan were meant for the senator.
Daniel J. Sullivan has denied being connected to Democrats. He said he is running because he is dissatisfied with the incumbent’s record. The state’s Supreme Court previously allowed him to remain on the ballot after election officials tried to remove him.
Trump said Friday, “I’m the one who said, ‘do it,’” The senator’s campaign said it would let the complaint proceed. It said Alaskans can tell the candidates apart.
Alaska election officials said they were reviewing the lawsuit. They said they remained focused on running the election. Democrat Mary Peltola criticized the federal intervention.