Follow-Up: Peltola Campaign Asks Judge to Dismiss DOJ Alaska Election Lawsuit, Calling the Complaint 'Wholly Baseless'

Mary Peltola, the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Alaska, asked U.S. District Judge Sharon Gleason late on Sunday, October 25, to dismiss the Trump administration Justice Department's lawsuit seeking to block the state from certifying the Senate election results if the Republican incumbent loses narrowly, according to Reuters. Peltola's campaign also asked the judge to rule on the dismissal request this week.

Lawyers for Peltola's campaign and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee wrote in the filing: "DOJ's complaint is wholly baseless. The fact that DOJ nonetheless chose to file it raises profound constitutional concerns." The filing argues that the lawsuit — which alleges voters could be confused because two Republicans on the ballot have almost identical names — marks an unlawful attempt by the federal government to intervene in election administration, a responsibility the U.S. Constitution assigns to the states.

The Justice Department filed the suit in federal court in Alaska last week. The two Republicans on the ballot are incumbent Senator Dan S. Sullivan and another contender, Dan J. Sullivan Jr.; the department alleged the latter is trying to mislead supporters of the senator into voting for him. Dan J. Sullivan Jr. has denied that his aim is to cause confusion, and the Alaska Supreme Court in June permitted him to appear on the ballot.

Attorney General Todd Blanche told CNN's "State of the Union" on Sunday that the lawsuit was filed to help officials determine whether any voter confusion violated the law, adding: "President Trump is not trying to take over a state election in any way, shape, or form." It is not yet known when Gleason, an appointee of Democratic former President Barack Obama, may rule; election law experts said the lawsuit has no merit and seeks relief not allowed under federal law.

Peltola, who previously represented Alaska in the U.S. House of Representatives, is challenging incumbent Republican Senator Dan S. Sullivan in a tight race seen as one that could determine control of the Senate. In the November 3 midterm elections, Republicans are battling to retain narrow majorities in both chambers of Congress. GSM has previously reported the Justice Department's suit and the Peltola campaign's move to intervene, and Alaska voters and advocacy groups have separately filed their own motion to dismiss.

Related: Justice Department Sues Alaska: Seeks to Block Senate Result Certification if Incumbent Loses

Related: Follow-Up: Peltola Campaign Moves Overnight to Intervene in Alaska Senate Certification Case, Calling DOJ Demand an 'Extraordinary Assault' on Democracy

Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)

Photo: 图：阿拉斯加州最大城市 Anchorage 市中心冬景，远处为楚加奇山脉（资料图）。摄影：Will Buckner，CC BY 2.0，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / Downtown Anchorage, Alaska, in winter, with the Chugach Mountains beyond (file photo). Photo: Will Buckner, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Latest in States

Nevada Names Its Newest State Park Crossroads Canyon: 1,627-Acre Park in Dayton Opens Public Planning Survey2026-11-01Oregon Marks 50th National Weatherization Day: 1,141 Homes Weatherized Last Year, Saving an Average of $372 a Year2026-11-01