Spoiler candidates are nothing new in US politics. It’s clear why Trump is targeting Peltola | Petala Ironcloud

Republicans are focused on a race that could flip the Senate - and where an Alaska Native is favored

Days before Alaskans get to vote, the federal government is already trying to overturn the result.

Last week, at Donald Trump's behest, the justice department sued to block the certification of Alaska's US Senate race, if the Republican incumbent narrowly loses; a judge dismissed that suit on Sunday, though the administration said it planned to appeal. On Wednesday, Trump demanded that Mary Peltola, the Alaska Native Democrat whom polls favor to win, be removed from the ballot and prosecuted. Piling on, Alaska's Republican governor has since ordered an investigation into Peltola's campaign.