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Is Mary Peltola ready for primetime?
By Brian E. Hove
The essential question facing voters in the top race is whether or not Mary Peltola is equipped to serve Alaskans in the U.S. Senate. Of course, there are a number of considerations, many of which have been discussed in prior commentaries. But today, three red flags stand out.
Temperament
Alaskans have high expectations of our Congressional delegation. This team consists of just three members. So, indeed, the work can be stressful. Still, there is no excuse for Mary’s volatile outbursts toward staff. Properly managing pressure simply comes with the territory.
The New York Times even called out the chaotic nature of Mary’s short tenure in the U.S. House emphasizing her poor treatment of staff. Of 435 House seats, The Times noted Mary Peltola’s staff turnover ranked in the top five for 2023. So, is volatility acceptable behavior?
Presence
Hard-working Alaskans show up to the job site every day. It’s not optional. Yet, Mary’s presence on behalf of Alaska certainly seemed optional as she missed nearly one-in-five roll call votes in the U.S. House. Notably, her colleagues only missed an average of about 2%.
Of course, Mary’s truancy is not surprising. It’s right in line with a pattern established as a state legislator in which she skipped nearly 19% of the votes taken. Spotty reliability just seems to be part of her character. But, is this fair to people who actually show up every day?
Preparation
Mary Peltola represented Alaska in Congress for 29 months. Prior to that she served in the Alaska State Legislature for 10 years. Alaskans might reasonably believe these experiences would prepare her to speak genuinely and effortlessly on a wide range of issues important to us.
But, as we witnessed in a recent TV debate, that’s not the case. Mary was literally reading her responses off note cards. It’s embarrassing. A candidate for the U.S. Senate, unable to spontaneously communicate her position on key subjects. Is she really prepared for this job?
The answer to the fundamental question posed at the top is clear. Mary Peltola is not ready for this role. Truth be told, she was not ready for the U.S. House seat either. This is why Alaskans swiftly replaced her electing a candidate much better suited to advancing Alaska’s interests.
For the U.S. Senate seat, Alaska needs someone who can lead while navigating challenging conditions. We need someone unafraid of the job. Someone who shows up, rolls up his sleeves and is prepared to work hard for Alaskans every day. Someone who doesn’t require note cards.
That “someone” is incumbent Sen. Dan S. Sullivan.
His service in the U.S. Marine Corps and as Alaska’s attorney general and commissioner of natural resources has prepared him well to serve Alaskans in the U.S. Senate. And, by the way, Sen. Sullivan has absolutely delivered for Alaska families these last 12 years.
From Coast Guard cutters to military pay increases to tax cuts for working families to new energy production to rural health care to protecting our fisheries, he continues to fight for what matters most to Alaskans. What’s more, he has the gravitas to get it done.
Effectiveness matters. Please join me in voting for the incumbent, Sen. Dan S. Sullivan.
• Brian Hove is a University of Alaska business graduate and a 46-year resident of Alaska. He worked as a community banker and staffed a state senator. He lives in Anchorage and volunteers on behalf of the Alaska Republican Party serving as national committeeman. Opinions expressed here are his own.
