Alaska Senate Race Awaits Weeks of Ballot Counting
Alaska’s U.S. Senate contest remained unresolved on November 4, with incumbent Republican Dan Sullivan and Democratic challenger Mary Peltola awaiting the count of ballots that could take weeks. About three-quarters of the vote had been counted by Wednesday morning, and the race remained too close to call. The contest also includes independent Daniel J. Sullivan and Republican Gerald Heikes.
The campaign drew national attention in part over Daniel J. Sullivan, a retired teacher whose name resembles the incumbent’s. President Donald Trump accused him of being a fake candidate and directed the Justice Department to sue to block certification if the incumbent lost, pending an investigation into possible voter confusion. A federal judge dismissed the lawsuit, and the Justice Department appealed.
Peltola denied involvement in efforts to recruit Daniel J. Sullivan, and he has denied contact with her campaign. The Justice Department has confirmed a criminal investigation but has not identified the potential crimes or targets. Sen. Sullivan has called the candidacy a scheme and questioned Peltola’s denials. The ballot identifies the two men as Dan S. Sullivan and Daniel J. Sullivan Jr.
Alaska accepts some ballots bearing an Election Day postmark for as many as 15 days after that date. The final deadline for receiving ballots is November 18, when the state’s ranked-choice tabulation will take place. If no candidate receives more than half of first-choice votes, the count proceeds to another round. Both major candidates told supporters the process would be lengthy; Sullivan said he remained confident he would win.
Alaska Voters Deserve a Fair Count, Not Partisan Distraction
Alaska’s Senate contest remained a toss-up on November 4, with about three-quarters of votes counted and weeks of ballot processing still ahead. Democrat Mary Peltola urged patience, emphasizing that every vote from far-flung communities and overseas service members must be counted. The state’s process takes time, but that is the price of ensuring voters’ choices are included.
Instead, the race has been clouded by allegations surrounding Daniel J. Sullivan, a retired teacher whose name resembles that of incumbent Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan. Peltola has denied involvement in any effort to recruit him, and Daniel J. Sullivan has denied contact with her campaign. The Justice Department has confirmed an investigation without specifying its targets or the potential crimes.
President Donald Trump directed the Justice Department to sue to block certification if the incumbent lost, pending an investigation into voter confusion. A federal judge dismissed the suit, and the department appealed. Sullivan has called the candidacy a scheme and challenged Peltola’s denials, while the ballot clearly distinguishes the two men by their names and party affiliations.
The final deadline for receiving eligible ballots is November 18, when ranked-choice tabulation is scheduled. If no candidate wins more than half of first-choice votes, another round follows. With Democrats already having secured control of the Senate, Alaska’s result could add to their majority. The priority now should be allowing the count to run its course rather than turning unproven allegations into a reason to obstruct certification.
Alaska’s Senate Count Must Not Be Clouded by Candidate Confusion
Alaska’s Senate race remained unresolved on November 4, with about three-quarters of the vote counted and the outcome still a toss-up. Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan told supporters he expected a long wait but remained confident of reelection. The stakes are significant: Democrats have already secured control of the Senate, and an Alaska victory could enlarge their majority.
The central concern is Daniel J. Sullivan, a retired teacher whose name closely resembles the incumbent’s. He qualified for the general election after placing among the top four in the August primary. The incumbent has called the candidacy a scheme that disrespects Alaskans, while President Donald Trump accused the challenger of being a fake candidate and directed the Justice Department to seek a block on certification if the senator lost, pending an investigation into possible voter confusion.
Peltola denies involvement in recruiting Daniel J. Sullivan, and he denies contact with her campaign. The Justice Department has confirmed a criminal investigation but has not said what conduct or people it is examining. A federal judge dismissed the department’s lawsuit, and the department appealed. The ballot lists the incumbent as Dan S. Sullivan, a Republican, and the other candidate as Daniel J. Sullivan Jr., who is unaffiliated with a party.
Alaska’s count may continue until November 18, the deadline for receiving certain ballots bearing an Election Day postmark and the scheduled ranked-choice tabulation. If nobody receives more than half of first-choice votes, further rounds determine the result. Peltola has also asked supporters to wait, and both candidates have acknowledged the process could take weeks. The count and any investigation must proceed, but the concern over whether voters could be confused remains central to the race.
Reported by The Philadelphia Inquirer, CBS News, Breitbart, WTOP, CNN, FOX 32 Chicago, The Blaze, PBS NewsHour, Townhall.
