Politics · United States · 2 hrs ago
Judge dismisses Trump administration lawsuit over Alaska Senate election
A federal judge in Alaska dismissed the Justice Department's lawsuit over the Senate race ahead of the state's midterm election.
The Trump administration had asked the court to block certification of the results if Republican Sen.
Dan Sullivan loses.
It argued that Daniel J. Sullivan, a teacher with the same ballot name and party affiliation as the senator, could confuse voters.
The judge ruled that the government did not have proper legal standing to bring the case and said it had not shown how a court order could address the alleged harm.
The case also raised claims about whether people linked to Democratic candidate Mary Peltola helped recruit the teacher, but her campaign said it had no involvement with either Sullivan campaign.
The ruling does not decide whether voters were misled or how many votes the second candidate may receive.
The Justice Department filed an appeal on Sunday, while the election results are due to be certified after the vote.
A federal judge in Alaska dismissed the Trump administration’s lawsuit seeking to block certification of the state’s Senate election results.
Judge Sharon L. Gleason ruled that the Justice Department lacked legal standing to bring the case.
The lawsuit argued that a second candidate named Daniel J. Sullivan could confuse voters and divert votes from Republican incumbent Dan Sullivan.
The Justice Department filed a notice of appeal on Sunday.
The election is part of the midterm vote scheduled for Tuesday.
- Who
- U.S. District Judge Sharon L. Gleason dismissed the lawsuit brought by the Trump administration’s Justice Department.
- What
- The lawsuit sought to block certification of Alaska’s Senate election results. The judge dismissed it.
- When
- Sunday, November 1, 2026.
- Where
- Alaska, United States.
- Why
- Gleason said the Justice Department lacked legal standing and had not shown how the alleged harm could be remedied without compromising voter secrecy.
Trump administration's Justice Department
Judge Sharon L. Gleason
Legal standing
Trump administration's Justice Department
The Justice Department argued that Daniel J. Sullivan’s candidacy could confuse voters and affect the election.
Judge Sharon L. Gleason
Gleason ruled that the government had not established that its alleged injury could be remedied by a court order.
Ballot investigation
Trump administration's Justice Department
The lawsuit sought intervention over ballots potentially cast for Daniel J. Sullivan.
Judge Sharon L. Gleason
Gleason said the government had no workable plan to separate those ballots and investigate them while preserving voter secrecy.
The Justice Department filed a lawsuit seeking to block certification of Alaska’s Senate election results.
The government amended its lawsuit to add claims concerning alleged efforts to recruit candidates who could draw votes away from Dan Sullivan.
Judge Sharon L. Gleason dismissed the lawsuit.
The Justice Department filed a notice of appeal.
Alaskans are due to vote in the midterm election.
- Judge
- Sharon L. Gleason
- Lawsuit filed by
- U.S. Department of Justice
- Incumbent senator
- Dan Sullivan, Republican
- Other candidates named
- Daniel J. Sullivan and Mary Peltola
- Appeal
- Notice filed Sunday, November 1, 2026
- Election timing
- Tuesday midterm election
6 sources
Judge dismisses Trump lawsuit in Alaska Senate race
Massive blow for Trump as judge throws out his bid to block Alaska Senate results if Dan Sullivan loses
Judge tosses lawsuit seeking to delay certification of Alaska Senate race
Stimmzettel mit zwei Sullivans: Trump scheitert mit Klage zu Zwischenwahl in Alaska
Judge throws out DOJ attempt to delay certification of Alaska Senate race
What people are saying
because the United States has failed to establish the redressability prerequisite for Article III standing.
Alaskan voters deserve a fair election, not to be misled in an attempt to rig outcomes.
I'm sure I'm going to lose a lot of votes to that trickery.
I am not interested in tricking voters.