Alaska Democrat Mary Peltola Accused of Shoving Aide, Using Slurs

Former Alaska Democratic Representative Mary Peltola has been accused by nine ex-aides of engaging in angry outbursts, using offensive language, and physically pushing a male staffer. The allegations surfaced in a report by The New York Times, detailing incidents that have reportedly rankled members of her team.

One notable incident occurred on February 7, 2024, when Peltola allegedly became agitated while searching for a document and pushed a male aide on the chest. An eyewitness and two other individuals later informed about the event confirmed the account. The aide subsequently left Peltola's team. The report notes that February 7 was the birthday of Peltola's late husband, Eugene, who died in a plane crash in September 2023. Her campaign spokesperson, Harry Child, stated that Peltola was navigating her grief, parenting, serving in the House, and running a re-election campaign at the time, adding that "exaggerating and outright lying about moments from the hardest period of her life... is wrong."

Child also asserted that Peltola treated her staff with "respect and care," despite a significant staff shakeup prior to the August 18 Senate primary. This reshuffle saw her campaign manager, chief of staff, and two other veteran political contractors either fired or reassigned. The report suggests this change stemmed from Peltola's frustrations, which she expressed in all-caps text messages, including one that stated, "OUR SIGN GAME IS F—ED."

Four former aides claimed Peltola regularly used a gay slur, sometimes in reference to her own team members, an allegation her campaign has denied. The campaign did acknowledge that Peltola used the term "retard" in a text message earlier this year. This message was sent after she faced backlash for taking a selfie with a commercial fisheries executive, given her opposition to large-scale trawling operations. Peltola's text read, "F— that retard," though her campaign stated she regrets her word choice.

She was also described as vindictive, with a tendency to cut off individuals after perceived slights. In one instance, Peltola reportedly reacted intensely to Planned Parenthood's criticism of her vote on a defense bill containing pro-life provisions. Her text message read, "I hope Planned Parenthood knows that if we don’t win it’s more their loss than ours. F— THOSE B—S."

Some former aides also recounted unusual requests, such as being asked to feed her family's chameleon, Meatball, with live crickets while she was away on official business.

Peltola, who previously served two-and-a-half years in the House after winning a special election in 2022, is currently challenging incumbent Republican Senator Dan Sullivan. The race is considered critical for the balance of power in the Senate. Polls indicate a close contest, further complicated by Alaska's ranked-choice voting system and the presence of another candidate named Dan J. Sullivan on the ballot.