Alaska Senate candidates court Native voters as Trump threatens lawsuit over certification

Republican Senator Dan Sullivan and Democratic former Representative Mary Peltola both spoke at the Alaska Federation of Natives conference in Anchorage this week. The candidates are trying to rally support from Alaska Native voters, a key constituency, just over one week before the Nov. 3 midterm election.

The organization endorsed Peltola, who is Yup'ik, during her House races in 2022 and 2024 but issued no endorsement this year. Sealaska Corp., a regional Native corporation in southeast Alaska, has endorsed both candidates to honor their contributions and the diverse positions of its shareholders.

“There’s legitimate hesitations about whether whoever they vote for is actually going to impact them.”

The Senate race is among the most closely watched nationally because control of the chamber is at stake. President Donald Trump, who held a rally for Sullivan earlier this month, said on Friday that he told his administration to sue to block certification if the incumbent loses.

The lawsuit cites possible confusion with another candidate listed on the ranked choice ballot as Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. Sullivan is listed as the Republican incumbent, while Sullivan Jr. has no party designation. U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche said the suit is necessary to ensure officials can determine whether Alaskan voters were confused or misled.

Alaska Natives make up about one-fifth of the state's population but can face voting challenges in remote communities. Advocates have cited polling locations opening late and ballots arriving too late to be fully counted because of mail delays. Actor and activist Dallas Goldtooth said there are legitimate hesitations about whether a vote will actually make a difference.