President Donald Trump called for votes cast for two other candidates to be credited to Republican Sen. Dan S. Sullivan, a move that could overtake Democratic nominee Mary Peltola’s narrow lead.
Anadolu Ajansı cited a media tally showing Peltola with 102,962 votes (48.2%) and Sullivan with 102,325 (47.9%), with about 75% of ballots counted. The tally put the gap at 637 votes. Daniel J. Sullivan Jr., whose name resembles the senator’s, had 3,600 votes (1.7%); Anadolu Ajansı said that total could swing the race if reassigned. The contest remained uncalled, the outlet reported.
Trump made the demand in a Thursday post on Truth Social, saying ballots for Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. and another candidate should go to the senator. Trump called that “no other fair solution.”
Anadolu Ajansı reported that Republicans had alleged the senator’s political opponents sought to confuse voters by placing a similarly named candidate on the ballot. Peltola denied her campaign helped recruit him. Democrats said similar-name candidates had often appeared on ballots and argued that changing the rules in this race would be a double standard, the outlet reported.
Before Election Day, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) sued over Alaska’s Senate ballot, seeking a pause in certification only if the incumbent lost and reallocating votes cast for Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. would change the winner. U.S. District Judge Sharon L. Gleason dismissed the DOJ’s amended filing Sunday, ruling that the court lacked jurisdiction, as EconoTimes previously reported.
Anadolu Ajansı reported that Democrats had won control of both chambers of Congress, so the Alaska race would not change which party holds power. Its projections gave Democrats 54 Senate seats without Peltola and 55 if she wins. The outlet said 60 votes are often needed to overcome a filibuster, meaning Democrats would still need Republican backing on some measures.
Alaska’s rules allow overseas and military absentee ballots to arrive during a post-election period of up to 15 days, Anadolu Ajansı reported. The outlet said final certified results are expected weeks away.
