Mary Peltola declared her intention on Monday to challenge Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan in Alaska’s upcoming midterm elections. Bringing her experience as the state’s first Alaska Native to serve in Congress, Peltola pledged to disrupt entrenched political dynamics to improve affordability for Alaskans.
In a video statement, Peltola articulated the hardships facing residents across the state, acknowledging, "Life is difficult here, and we know that we have to take care of each other." Her tenure in Congress followed landmark victories in 2022’s special and general elections, where she triumphed over multiple contenders including former Governor Sarah Palin. However, in the 2024 race, she was defeated by Republican Nick Begich, who had also been an opponent in the 2022 contests.
Peltola has encountered personal tragedy during her time in office, with the passing of her mother and the loss of her husband in a plane crash both occurring in 2023. Despite these challenges, her campaign prioritizes homegrown issues, asserting that Alaska’s sustainability depends on dismantling a "rigged system in D.C." that hampers the state’s progress while politicians enrich themselves.
Drawing attention to the subsistence lifestyle integral to many Alaska Native families, Peltola highlighted challenges like the dwindling availability of salmon and migratory birds, staples once abundant in freezers. This scarcity forces residents in remote areas, often inaccessible by road, to rely on grocery stores where prices are inflated by transportation expenses.
She criticized federal politicians’ disconnect, stating, "It’s not just that politicians in D.C. don’t care that we’re paying $17 for a gallon of milk in rural Alaska. They don’t even believe us. They’re more focused on their stock portfolios than our bank accounts." This remark underscores her campaign’s narrative that government priorities are misaligned with the needs of Alaska’s rural communities.
While Democrats nationally anticipate gains in the midterms, Alaska’s political field remains challenging. Senator Dan Sullivan, who possesses a background as the state attorney general and natural resources commissioner, unseated the last Democratic senator from Alaska in 2014. Sullivan’s legislative focus includes military affairs and resource development, and he earned the endorsement of former President Donald Trump during the 2020 election cycle.
Peltola points to her track record of bipartisan cooperation to appeal to a broad electorate. Notably, she endorsed the development of the Willow oil project on the North Slope, showcasing a pragmatic stance on Alaska’s economic drivers. Her political decisions, such as withholding endorsement of then-Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential race, have prompted debate within her party.
She reminisced about an era when Alaska’s Republican congressional delegation worked beyond party lines to advance state interests like public media support and disaster relief, citing Republican Senator Ted Stevens as emblematic of this approach. Peltola’s campaign message calls upon Alaskans to set an example nationally, emphasizing the slogan "Alaska First," and by extension, "America First."
Alaska employs an electoral system featuring open primaries and ranked-choice voting in general elections. The state progresses its top four primary candidates, irrespective of party, to the November ballot.