Tillis backs scrutiny of the Alaska ballot but questions the early lawsuit
Thom TillisU.S. senator for North Carolina, interviewed on CBS's Face the Nation
Sen. Thom Tillis on the Justice Department's Alaska election lawsuit, on CBS News's "Face the Nation," Oct. 25, 2026.
Excerpt from 30:58 to 32:16 of the CBS News "Face the Nation" broadcast video. Cut from the broadcast video on the CBS News transcript page cited for this source. DI added its logo in the corner.
Video: CBS News. Excerpt used for news reporting and commentary
Watch the full original video (opens in a new tab) (relevant passage: Thom Tillis interview, exchange on the Alaska lawsuit)
Tillis says he does not mind scrutiny of the Alaska race but objects to the appearance of filing a lawsuit before the facts that would support one have occurred.
“So, I don't mind looking at it, but I do mind the appearance of filing a lawsuit before we know if the facts that would substantiate a lawsuit actually occur.”
Interview
Where this statement fits
DOJ challenges Alaska Senate certification over two Sullivans; Murkowski objects
DOJ sued Alaska over the presence of two candidates named Dan Sullivan on the Senate ballot. It seeks to prevent certification under specified conditions involving an incumbent loss and the possible effect of namesake votes. Lisa Murkowski and Mary Peltola criticize the intervention.
Source and context
Interview
About this source
CBS News transcript of Margaret Brennan's interview with Sen. Thom Tillis. Brennan asks about the Justice Department's Alaska lawsuit and Lisa Murkowski's objection to it.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Watch the clip from this source at the top of the page.
Before the quotation
Tillis said it was appropriate to take a look at the race because a candidate shares Sen. Dan Sullivan's name and Alaska uses ranked-choice voting. Asked about Lisa Murkowski's objection, he called the lawsuit suspicious and preemptive and said Democrats had gamed the system by putting a Dan Sullivan on the ballot.
After the quotation
Margaret Brennan replied that the other Dan Sullivan says he is not a Democrat, and noted reporting that a Democratic strategist may have helped him.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
The case concerns DOJ's requested conditional intervention in certification of Alaska's Senate election. Tillis supports watching the Alaska result for voter confusion but questions filing a lawsuit before facts support one.
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More from this case
Read the full caseMuller urges investigation while rejecting the amended certification claim
“further investigation is essential to determine whether they should be brought.”Read statement
Dunleavy leaves certification action conditional on investigative findings
“may, in fact, impact whether somebody is seated in the U.S. Senate.”Read statement
Somin condemns the reported tactic but maintains his objection to DOJ's suit
“But the fact that this scheme is legal doesn't make it right.”Read statement
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The Dispute Index. "Tillis backs scrutiny of the Alaska ballot but questions the early lawsuit". First published: 2026-10-28. Last updated: 2026-10-28. https://disputeindex.com/events/7112-tillis-says-he-does-not-mind-scrutiny-of