World News

Judge dismisses DOJ suit over second Dan Sullivan amid alleged Peltola recruitment

US District Judge Sharon Gleason called the suit infeasible because ballots were cast and commingled, while the Peltola campaign denies a reported recruitment role.

Published Nov 3, 2026 · 11:41 UTC4 reports

The short version

The Justice Department sued to delay certification of Alaska's Senate race if Sen. Dan Sullivan loses and votes for a namesake could have mattered.[Fox News]
The New York Times reported that Peltola's campaign reportedly worked to recruit the second Sullivan, and the campaign and the DSCC deny involvement.[CNBC · Fox News]
Judge Sharon Gleason dismissed the suit as infeasible because many voters had already cast ballots that were commingled.[Al Jazeera]
Unresolved: whether voters were confused and whether the recruitment reports are accurate remain open after the dismissal.[Fox News]

Key facts

Daniel J. Sullivan owes more than $21,000 in compliance and legal fees, according to Federal Election Commission filings.[The Washington Sun]
The Alaska Supreme Court struck down the election officials' decision and ruled on June 29 that Daniel J. Sullivan must remain on the ballot.[The Washington Sun]
The Department of Justice filed a federal lawsuit seeking to delay certification if Sen. Dan Sullivan loses and votes for Daniel J. Sullivan could have changed the result.[Fox News]
The New York Times reported that the Peltola campaign reportedly worked with operatives to recruit the second Dan Sullivan for Alaska's Senate race.[Fox News]
Mary Peltola's campaign and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee deny involvement in recruiting Daniel J. Sullivan.[CNBC]
US District Court Judge Sharon Gleason dismissed the DOJ lawsuit, calling it infeasible because many voters had already cast ballots that were commingled.[Al Jazeera]

What remains uncertain

Whether the Peltola campaign recruited the second Dan Sullivan is unresolved; the New York Times account is attributed and the campaign denies involvement.[CNBC · Fox News]
Whether voters were actually confused is unknown; the DOJ complaint was tied to a pending inquiry into whether voters mistakenly selected the wrong candidate.[Fox News]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.