Trump Attacks Murkowski Over Alaska Election Lawsuit

President Donald Trump publicly attacked Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski after she criticized a Justice Department lawsuit seeking to halt certification of Alaska’s Senate election results under certain circumstances. The dispute centers on incumbent Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan’s contest against Democrat Mary Peltola and the presence of another candidate named Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. on the ballot. Trump said he directed the Justice Department to pursue the lawsuit. He accused Democrats of placing Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. on the ballot to divert votes from the incumbent and confuse voters, but the reports do not establish that allegation or show whether voters were confused. Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. is described as a retired schoolteacher and former Forest Service employee. Murkowski said Alaska had already distinguished the candidates on the ballot and that the Justice Department should not have filed the lawsuit. Trump responded with posts criticizing her and the state’s ranked-choice voting system, calling her a disgrace and accusing her of opposing the legal action because she wanted Democrats to win. He also urged Alaskans to vote yes on Ballot Measure 2, which would repeal...