Blanche defends DoJ’s pre-emptive suit to block Alaska Senate results certification

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — As the midterm elections approach, the leading candidates in Alaska’s U.S. Senate race, Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan and Democratic former Rep. Mary Peltola, are actively seeking support from Alaska Native voters. Both candidates spoke at the recent Alaska Federation of Natives conference in Anchorage, where they emphasized their connections to the Native community.

Sealaska Corp., a regional Native corporation, has endorsed both Sullivan and Peltola, highlighting their commitment to the diverse positions of their shareholders. The race has garnered national attention due to its potential impact on the Senate. President Donald Trump, a supporter of Sullivan, has urged his administration to sue to block certification of the race if Sullivan loses, citing potential confusion with another candidate, Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. The lawsuit aims to ensure that officials have the necessary information to determine if Alaskan voters were misled.

Alaska Natives, comprising about one-fifth of the state’s population, face challenges in voting, particularly in remote communities. Advocates have raised concerns about late polling locations and delayed ballot delivery due to mail delays. There is also skepticism about the impact of voting on the lives of Alaska Natives. Actor and activist Dallas Goldtooth, who encouraged conference attendees to vote, emphasized the importance of every voice being counted.

Both candidates have shown their commitment to Native issues, with Sullivan highlighting his work on land allotments for Alaska Native Vietnam War-era veterans and Peltola expressing support for fisheries and addressing the crisis of missing and murdered indigenous people. Energy, including oil and gas drilling, is a crucial issue in Alaska, and Peltola has expressed her support for expanded drilling, while Sullivan has criticized the ongoing war with Iran and its impact on Alaskan energy.