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

Alaskans are deciding a highly watched U.S. Senate race between Republican incumbent Sen. Dan Sullivan and Democrat Mary Peltola, a former U.S. representative, amid late-cycle litigation and allegations of “dirty tricks.” Less than two weeks before Election Day, attention intensified after President Donald Trump-backed efforts to delay certification if Sullivan loses. Trump’s focus also landed on a third candidate, retired teacher Dan J. Sullivan, whom he called “fake,” prompting a Justice Department lawsuit to block certification pending an investigation into possible voter confusion. A federal judge dismissed the lawsuit Sunday, and the Justice Department appealed. The dispute centers on naming similarity and claims that Peltola’s campaign tried to recruit the other Dan J. Sullivan.