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Trump declares Republican Dan Sullivan has won Alaska election: ‘The race is over’
Donald Trump declared Republican Senator Dan Sullivan the winner of Alaska’s closely contested Senate race, though most ballots have not been counted and no election authority or other outlet has called it. The result matters because the remaining votes and Alaska’s ranked-choice system could still change which candidate wins.
With about 74 per cent of ballots counted, Democrat Mary Peltola was reported to lead Sullivan by 637 votes; a second candidate named Dan Sullivan had received about 3,500 votes. Up to 70,000 ballots may still be processed, with major batches expected from 10 November, counting due to finish by 18 November and certification targeted for 25 November. The article also reports an FBI inquiry into the recruitment of the similarly named candidate; Peltola has denied involvement.
In short
- Trump said Sullivan had won, but the race has not been called.
- Peltola led by 637 votes with about 74 per cent counted.
- A second Dan Sullivan received 3,500 votes as counting continues.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Trump’s declaration could be defended as a political judgement that Sullivan is likely to prevail once the outstanding ballots and Alaska’s ranked-choice rules are accounted for. Supporters may also argue that publicly projecting confidence helps sustain attention and support while votes are still being processed.
The case against
With Peltola reported ahead and most ballots still uncounted, declaring Sullivan the winner risks misleading voters and casting doubt on the count before election authorities reach a result. A responsible claim of victory should await the remaining ballots and the official process, particularly given the possible effect of ranked-choice counting.
Explained simply
Alaska’s Senate election is a contest for one of the state’s two seats in the US Senate, which helps make federal laws and approves government appointments. The main candidates are Republican senator Dan Sullivan, who is seeking another term, and Democrat Mary Peltola, a former member of the US House of Representatives.
Alaska uses ranked-choice voting: voters can rank candidates in order, and later rounds of counting can transfer votes from candidates who are eliminated. A second candidate with the same name as Sullivan is also in the race, making the vote count and the way ballots are processed important to the outcome.
The result will determine who represents Alaska in the Senate and could affect the balance of power there. Because many ballots remain to be processed, the outcome is not yet settled.
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