Voters to decide Alaska Senate race roiled in final days by litigation, allegations of dirty tricks

Alaska's U.S. Senate contest between Republican incumbent Dan Sullivan and Democrat Mary Peltola, a former U.S. representative, entered its final stretch under a cloud of legal fights and accusations of political trickery. The race is one of several that could decide which party controls the Senate, according to ABC News.

Attention has centered on a third candidate, retired teacher Dan J. Sullivan, who placed third in the August primary with 2.5% of the vote and has barely campaigned. The New York Times reported that Peltola's campaign appeared to have helped recruit him, reinforcing the incumbent's long-standing claim that he was a sham meant to confuse voters. Peltola denied any role. The Justice Department confirmed a criminal investigation, though U.S. Attorney Michael Heyman declined to identify targets or possible crimes. President Donald Trump called the third candidate fake and directed the department to sue to block certification; a federal judge dismissed the case Sunday, and the department appealed.

In the primary, Peltola took 49.5% and the incumbent 41.4%. Sullivan stressed his backing of Trump's tax and immigration package and his military record, while Peltola criticized the Iran war over fuel prices and said she would stand up to her own party on Alaska's behalf.

Summarized by PolitiKool from ABC News’s reporting. Read the full story at ABC News →