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Mary Peltola

Registered Democrat candidate for United States Senator, Alaska · Challenger

Former U.S. Representative; former tribal judge

Mary Peltola is a Yup'ik Alaskan and former tribal judge. She represented Alaska's at-large U.S. House district from 2022 to 2025 and was the first Alaska Native member of Congress. She lost re-election to the House in 2024 and is now the Democratic nominee running against incumbent Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan in the November 3, 2026 general election.

Where Peltola stands

Iran / foreign policy

Argues that the war with Iran has raised fuel and living costs in Alaska, saying Alaskans are "being priced out" because of the war. Criticizes Sullivan's support for the war.

Energy and cost of living

Says that if elected she would work to speed up federal reviews of resource development projects under laws such as the Endangered Species Act and NEPA.

Fisheries

Calls for more NOAA funding and blames federal budget cuts for problems in the fishing industry. Argues that federal fisheries policy should focus on wild-caught fish rather than farmed fish.

Fisheries science and federal workforce

Opposes cuts to NOAA and to the federal fisheries science workforce that came through the Elon Musk-led cost-cutting initiative.

Background

• U.S. Representative, Alaska at-large district, 2022–2025
• First Alaska Native member of Congress
• Lost re-election to the U.S. House, 2024
• Former tribal judge
• Born August 31, 1973; Yup'ik

In the news

• Mary Peltola Meets Alaska Natives at Elders & Youth Conference, Outlines Senate Priorities Yahoo News (Native Vote 2026), October 22, 2026
• Takeaways from the Alaska Senate debate between Mary Peltola and Dan Sullivan The Detroit News, October 16, 2026
• Mary Peltola's workplace allegations under scrutiny in tight Alaska Senate race NewsNation, October 16, 2026
• Pitched battle for Alaska's Senate seat is enveloped in a fight over fish Alaska Beacon, September 21, 2026
• Dan Sullivan, Mary Peltola face off in fish-focused Alaska Senate debate The Hill, September 15, 2026

Also running for United States Senator

• Gerald L. Heikes Registered Republican
• Dan S. Sullivan Registered Republican
• Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. Registered Republican

Sources

• Alaska Beacon: fisheries fight in Senate race
• Anchorage Daily News: AOGA energy forum
• The Center Square via Yahoo: fishing debate
• Detroit News: debate takeaways
• Wikipedia: Mary Peltola
• Wikipedia: 2026 U.S. Senate election in Alaska

Last researched October 23, 2026. Written in neutral language from the sources above. Spot an error? See how to report it.