Trump weighs in on Alaska Senate race as thousands of ballots remain uncounted

President Donald Trump weighed in on Alaska's tight U.S. Senate race Thursday, suggesting votes for two minor candidates be awarded to incumbent Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan, as thousands of ballots remain uncounted and the contest is too close to call. Sen. Sullivan trails Democrat Mary Peltola by 637 first-choice votes with over 200,000 counted, and tens of thousands of ballots remain outstanding. A federal appeals court appears unlikely to quickly rule on a Trump-ordered lawsuit seeking to stop certification if Sullivan loses, with arguments scheduled after the race's Nov. 25 certification deadline. The lawsuit, dismissed by a district court, alleged Democrats recruited spoiler candidates to hurt Sullivan. GOP-led investigations continue into those claims, though legal experts say no unlawful behavior is apparent. Under Alaska's ranked choice voting, ballots for minor candidates could be redistributed and decide the winner.