‘Corruption’ and ‘desperation’: Peltola slams Trump DOJ lawsuit over Alaska Senate race

Democratic Senate candidate Mary Peltola is condemning a federal lawsuit that could complicate certification of Alaska's Senate race, and Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski has joined her in faulting the Justice Department. President Donald Trump said he ordered the department to bring the case, an unusual step in a contest that may help decide which party controls the chamber, according to MS NOW.

The government is asking a court to bar Alaska from certifying the outcome if incumbent Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan loses narrowly to Peltola. Its theory rests on a retired teacher, also named Daniel Sullivan, who appears on the ballot; the administration says voters might confuse the two men. Alaska's Supreme Court previously directed state election officials in June to list that second candidate on the primary ballot. FiftyPlusOne's weighted average, MS NOW's polling partner, puts Peltola ahead 49. 7% to 47. 7% with 11 days remaining.

Speaking with MS NOW's Nicolle Wallace, Peltola called the suit corrupt and desperate, said the ballot already identifies the incumbent, and described it as a distraction from the cost of living. She said her campaign, which had targeted $60 million in fundraising, now worries about legal expenses.

Summarized by PolitiKool from MS NOW’s reporting. Read the full story at MS NOW →