Juneau, Alaska — Alannah Hurley reminisces with emotion about the historic election of Democrat Mary Peltola to Alaska’s sole U.S. House seat in 2022. Both Hurley and Peltola share Yup’ik heritage, and Hurley describes Peltola’s victory, which made her the first Alaska Native in Congress, as a significant achievement that resonates deeply with her family.
“Finally, we have representation in Congress that truly reflects our identity, our stories, and understands the unique challenges and beauty of being Native in this state and across the nation,” Hurley expressed.
At 51 years old, Peltola faces a challenging reelection battle against Republican Nick Begich, and this contest is crucial in determining whether Republicans or Democrats maintain control of the House. Peltola’s campaign comes on the heels of a year filled with profound personal loss; she grieved the deaths of her mother and her husband, Eugene Peltola, within just four months in 2023.
Reflecting on the weeks following her husband’s tragic plane crash, Peltola admitted they were among the most harrowing of her life. Returning to Washington after a month away during a turbulent time within her party, she expressed determination to tackle the work ahead, recognizing the national difficulties that mirrored her own personal challenges.
While Peltola has not shared much publicly about her grief during this time, many who know her have commented on her remarkable fortitude.
“When I think about how Mary has held her head high through everything she’s faced over the past few years, I feel immense pride,” remarked Lisa Murkowski, Alaska’s senior Republican senator, who first bonded with Peltola in the state legislature 25 years ago as fellow mothers.
“She wasn’t afforded the chance to grieve like others. She had to maintain strength and show up for her responsibilities,” Murkowski added.
Despite party lines, Murkowski, known for her moderate stance, has backed Peltola again, highlighting how contentious current political dynamics blur traditional affiliations.
“With the current hyper-partisanship, I can still recognize Mary as a commendable individual who has worked diligently for our state,” she affirmed.
Meanwhile, Alaska’s other Republican senator, Dan Sullivan, has shown his support for Begich. The candidate, a businessman from a prominent Democratic family, including his late grandfather and uncle who have both served in Congress, faces Peltola again after a previous race that included Sarah Palin.
Begich has criticized Peltola, arguing she hasn’t done enough to challenge the Biden administration’s resource management policies, which he feels restrict development in Alaska. He is altering his approach from the last election, where the implementation of open primaries and ranked-choice voting played a pivotal role.
This time, Begich is focusing on uniting conservative support after a primary in which he emerged as the top Republican candidate but finished second overall to Peltola. Notably, some Republican contenders withdrew, paving the way for less familiar candidates to appear on the general election ballot.
The Congressional Leadership Fund, a super PAC linked to Republican House leaders, has launched advertisements targeting Trump supporters that equate voting for Peltola with disavowing support for Trump.
Peltola is keen to demonstrate that her earlier election victories were not mere accidents, countering claims by Trump who insinuated her wins were flukes. She acknowledges the significance of her role as a trailblazer but emphasizes her commitment to representing all Alaskans and fostering bipartisan cooperation, especially as many voters in Alaska are not affiliated with any political party.
“When I first campaigned, many assumed I’d only focus on Native issues or rural concerns,” Peltola mentioned in her speech to the Alaska Federation of Natives conference. “But I take pride in advocating for the well-being of our entire community and recognizing the interconnectedness of all issues.”
During her campaign, Peltola has faced some backlash from Democrats after she declined to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for the presidency, although she has made it clear she would not support Trump either. She has also been vocal in pushing for the Biden administration to authorize the expansive Willow oil project on the North Slope, a venture that garners backing from numerous Alaska Native communities and local politicians despite facing legal challenges from environmental advocates.
The competitive race has attracted significant attention from external organizations. The outcome may remain uncertain until the comprehensive results are revealed on November 20, as the ranked-choice voting system is still in play. Peltola, who has received endorsement from the Alaska Federation of Natives, predicts a close contest likely decided by mere “dozens of votes.”
“We’ve thrived in Alaska for over 12,000 years! We’re capable of participating in elections and making our voices heard,” she asserted to supporters.
Officials are currently working on facilitating a smooth voting process on November 5, particularly in rural Native communities that have faced difficulties in recent elections.
Hurley, an independent from a fishing community in southwest Alaska, commended Peltola for addressing significant issues instead of focusing strictly on party loyalties. She praised Peltola for her extraordinary efforts following her personal tragedies.
Critics have labeled Peltola’s decision to leave Washington in July to engage in fishing activities with her family as “shameful.” However, Hurley emphasized the importance of subsistence not only as a means of sustenance but also as a vital connection to cultural identity.
“I hold immense respect for her. She prioritizes her cultural ties, all while managing her responsibilities in office,” Hurley stated.