The Trump administration has filed a lawsuit to prevent the certification of Alaska's Senate race if Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan loses while another candidate with the same name is on the ballot.

The legal action launches what many expect to be a drawn-out struggle between federal authorities and state officials over election certification in a state where the president's party is struggling.

Figures across the political spectrum view Alaska as a pivotal battleground, where Sullivan faces Democrat Mary Peltola. Also appearing on the ballot is Daniel J. Sullivan , who hails from the small fishing community of Petersburg. He maintains he entered the race independently , but Republicans claim he is a Democratic plant seeking to strip away votes.

The Department of Justice filed a federal lawsuit in Alaska on Thursday requesting that state officials be barred from certifying a Peltola win if the other Sullivan stays on the ballot.

Trump shakes hands with Sen.…