Peltola replaces longtime campaign manager just before primary election

Anton McParland, who served as Peltola’s chief of staff when she was in the US House, has ‘transitioned into a new role,’ according to spokesperson with her US Senate campaign

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Mary Peltola and her former campaign manager, Anton McParland, talk to people at a campaign event at The Crystal Saloon on Jan. 23, 2026. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Independent)

By Mark Sabbatini

Juneau Independent

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Mary Peltola has replaced longtime campaign manager Anton McParland, who also served as her chief of staff when she was in the U.S. House, according to published reports and a campaign spokesperson.

McParland’s departure as campaign manager was first reported Sunday by the Alaska Landmine. A campaign spokesperson in an email to the Juneau Independent on Monday confirmed McParland is no longer the campaign manager, but disputed the Landmine’s assertion he has been fired by noting he "is still with the campaign and has transitioned into a new role."

Cheryl Bruce, deputy campaign manager since Peltola entered the race in January, is currently serving as campaign manager, according to the email.

The New York Times reported Monday that Peltola last week fired Elisa Rios, a close adviser who helped run her two campaigns for the House and was also a campaign manager for her Senate bid. The newspaper reported Peltola also fired a deputy campaign manager.

The changes are occurring just before Alaska’s primary election on Tuesday. Peltola is expected to easily finish among the top four candidates in the state’s open primary and advance to November’s general election.

The Landmine also reported other campaign staff members have been let go. An official statement from Peltola’s campaign on Monday notes, "The campaign has undergone staffing updates as we transition into the general election and we appreciate the contributions of everyone who built the winning campaign to send Mary to the US Senate this November."

The campaign did not answer questions sent Sunday night from the Juneau Independent about why the change occurred, and who besides McParland and Bruce are affected.

McParland was Peltola’s campaign manager when she ran for U.S. House in 2022 and served as her chief of staff during the two years she was in office. A 2023 profile of him by Alaska Public Media describes a strong working relationship and reports "his dual jobs for Peltola does raise eyebrows," but also states ethics rules allow a congressional staffer to work in their off-duty hours on re-election campaigns.

Peltola is in a "toss-up" race against incumbent Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan for a seat that could determine which party controls the Senate for the final two years of President Donald Trump’s second term. Her campaign in recent days made headlines by declaring it did not approve a message of support from former Vice President Kamala Harris.

• Contact Mark Sabbatini at editor@juneauindependent.com or (907) 957-2306.