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← Signal: State & Power

Trump claims Alaska ballot rival orchestrated by Democrats, invokes DOJ lawsuit to contest Senate race

Confirmed1 source · Oct 23, 2026

At a Florida rally, Trump repeated unsubstantiated claims that Daniel J. Sullivan, a retired Republican schoolteacher running against incumbent Dan S. Sullivan, was placed on the ballot by Democrats to split votes.

Trump claims Alaska ballot rival orchestrated by Democrats, invokes DOJ lawsuit to contest Senate race
Image via The Guardian

What happened

Trump claimed without evidence that Daniel J. Sullivan, a registered Republican and retired schoolteacher running for Alaska Senate, was "put up" by Democrats to siphon votes from the Trump-endorsed incumbent Dan S. Sullivan. Trump told reporters he personally directed the Justice Department to file a lawsuit attempting to block certification of the Alaska Senate race if the incumbent loses. Both candidates will compete against Democrat Mary Peltola, who leads the incumbent in polling. Trump also defended Vivek Ramaswamy's ad featuring Amy Acton's estranged mother and verbally attacked NBC reporter Monica Alba when questioned about the ad's propriety.

Context

The Alaska Senate race involves two Republican candidates with no family relation competing alongside a Democrat leading in polls. Trump's invocation of a DOJ lawsuit to prevent race certification if his endorsed candidate loses raises questions about post-election contestation in a race where Trump has significant involvement. Trump's defense of the Ramaswamy ad—which uses material related to Amy Acton, who was removed from her mother's care at age 12 after her stepfather was charged with sexual abuse—reflects tensions within the Republican coalition over campaign tactics. The sourcing also notes Trump selectively presented CNN polling showing his support among self-described MAGA Republicans remained at 98-99%, without reference to broader polling showing declining support among Republicans generally and the public at large.

What's disputed

Trump's claim that Daniel J. Sullivan was placed on the ballot by Democrats lacks evidentiary support according to the source. The assertion that Daniel J. Sullivan's candidacy is orchestrated to boost the Democratic candidate is presented as unsubstantiated.