Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Mary Peltola of Alaska has faced scrutiny over her voting record after records show she missed 1,029 votes during her tenure in the Alaska House of Representatives and Bethel City Council, as well as her time in the U.S. Congress.
Peltola, who advanced to the general election alongside Republican incumbent Sen. Dan Sullivan, has been criticized for her absence in key legislative sessions. State records indicate she missed 794 of 4,265 Alaska House votes (18.6%) during her five terms from 1999 to 2009. In local government, she missed 22 of 60 Bethel City Council meetings (36.67%) from 2011 to 2013. At the federal level, she missed 235 of 1,370 roll-call votes (17.2%) while serving in the U.S. House from 2022 to 2024, according to GovTrack data.
The highest concentration of absences occurred during the 2003–2004 legislative session, when she missed 334 of 1,019 Alaska House votes. Critics have also pointed to her lack of primary-sponsored bills becoming law during her congressional tenure.
Peltola has defended her record, citing cultural obligations, including a previously reported absence to observe a Yup’ik tradition marking the one-year anniversary of her late husband’s death. She has framed her campaign around issues such as affordable fuel costs and economic support for rural Alaskans, stating in a recent post, “$21 a gallon for gas in the Bush. If you’re not a millionaire, I don’t know how you can afford that.”
Sen. Dan Sullivan’s campaign has highlighted Peltola’s attendance record as a contrast to his own legislative record. The Republican National Committee stated, “Alaskans deserve an all-the-time workhorse like Dan Sullivan, not someone like Peltola who knifes Alaskans in the back when she even bothers to show up.” The National Republican Senatorial Committee also criticized her lack of legislative achievements, posting on X, “She couldn’t even get a single bill signed into law. Now, she wants a promotion.”
Peltola’s campaign has not directly addressed the missed votes in recent statements, though her team has previously emphasized her work on behalf of Alaska’s fishing industry and rural communities. The general election, which includes four candidates, is widely viewed as a pivotal race that could influence control of the U.S. Senate.
Background: Peltola’s Political Trajectory
Peltola served in the Alaska House from 1999 to 2009, followed by two years on the Bethel City Council. She was elected to the U.S. House in a 2022 special election, becoming the first Alaska Native woman to serve in Congress. Her Senate campaign emphasizes fisheries, economic resilience, and Indigenous representation, positioning her as a advocate for rural and Indigenous communities.
Key Questions Raised by the Record
- Commitment to Public Service: Critics argue her attendance record suggests a lack of engagement with legislative duties.
- Cultural vs. Professional Obligations: Peltola has cited cultural traditions as a reason for absences, raising debates over the balance between personal and professional responsibilities.
- Legislative Impact: The absence of primary-sponsored bills becoming law during her congressional tenure has been framed as a lack of effectiveness by opponents.
The race remains highly competitive, with both candidates emphasizing their commitment to Alaska’s unique challenges, including energy costs, Indigenous rights, and economic diversification.
What’s Next
Peltola and Sullivan will continue campaigning ahead of the general election, with the outcome potentially affecting the balance of power in the U.S. Senate. Polling and voter turnout in rural Alaska are expected to play a decisive role.