Mary Peltola.Photo: Ash Adams for The Washington Post via Getty
Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola won the crowded Alaska House race on Wednesday, securing her first full term in Congress.
Peltola, 49, made headlines only three months ago when she pulled off an upset win in Alaska’s special House election,defeating a pool of Republicansthat included former Alaska governor and onetime vice presidential candidateSarah Palin, and Nick Begich III, the grandson of former Alaska Rep. Nick Begich Sr.
In a rematch, the Democrat defended her new seat, solidifying her place in a state that traditionally favors Republicans.
Peltola is Yup’ik so her win made her the first Alaska Native in Congress.
Mary Peltola, Sarah Palin, and Nick Begich III.getty (3)
Peltola’s victory in August allowed her to serve out the remainder of Republican Rep.Don Young’s term in the U.S. House, which ends in January. Young, who’d occupied the seat since 1973, died in March at age 88.
Aug. 16 also marked the first time Alaska voters used ranked-choice ballots in a general election. With her victory, Peltola — a former state representative — made history in a number of ways, becoming the first Democrat to hold the seat in 50 years and the first woman and first Indigenous Alaskan ever elected to serve in the role.
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Palin left politics in 2009, when she resigned as governor of Alaska after an unsuccessful bid for vice president. She was previously the mayor of Wasilla, Alaska. Palin publicly weighed a run for president in 2012 but decided against it.
From left: Cindy McCain (back) with Sarah Palin and John McCain on the campaign trail in 2008.Sangjib Min/Newport News Daily Press/Getty
Begich, meanwhile, is the grandson of former Alaska Rep. Nick Begich Sr. He ran as a Republican despite coming from a powerful Democratic family. Begich previously co-chaired Young’s 2020 reelection campaign.
According to theAssociated Press, Begich referred to himself as an “inflation fighter” in one ad, stating he would fight against excess government spending as one way to do so. He also shared that he had an interest in making a case for Alaska resource development and honing in on economic issues if elected.
source: people.com
