mary peltola “For the preservation of the Alaskan way of life”
Mary Peltola recently marked a milestone in the history of the United States and Alaska in particular. She is the first Alaska Native woman in Congress. And she wants to be re-elected to the next term, because she wants to preserve the way of life in the state, while modernizing it and bringing it into the 21st century.
What do you think you can offer to improve the Alaskan standard of living that the other candidates are not considering? My campaign is neither simpler nor complex than securing a brighter future for all Alaskans. Summarized as Pro-Jobs, Pro-Family, Pro-Fish, and Pro-Choice, I am fighting for the preservation of the Alaskan way of life while bringing its economy into the 21st Century.
A strong democratic throughline unifies my entire platform: whether as a worker, student, community member, or medical patient, I believe that everyone deserves a voice in the decisions that will affect their lives and environments. But while this distinguishes me from my opponents, it is a point of commonality with Alaskans across the political spectrum. I frequently refer to myself as a ‘Regular Alaskan’, and this is because Alaskans live with grit, tenacity, and a commitment to self-determination that models for the Lower 48 what democracy really looks like.
My success as a candidate depends on upholding my status as a life-long Alaskan and reminding constituents that the Alaskan way of life can be preserved for generations to come.
Where do the BIPOC communities fit in your priorities? I am committed to represent all Alaskans and Americans, especially members of the BIPOC communities. I am humbled to be the first Alaska Native in Congress, giving voice to fifteen percent of Alaskans who have never had direct representation, as well as the first woman to represent Alaska in the House.
The BIPOC communities fit into several of my legislative priorities, including education, voting rights, reproductive justice, and public safety. Our diversity is what makes us strong, and I will work to preserve and protect our languages, cultures, and ways of life. If re-elected, I will champion resources for language immersion, cultural and Alaskan history education, and other cultural revitalization efforts.
Participation in elections is the bedrock of our democracy, and it is our duty to protect those rights. At this time, legislation is being passed that disproportionately prevents BIPOC and other marginalized communities from participating in elections. In Congress, I will fight for the passage of the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Freedom to Vote Act. A repeal of abortion access would disproportionately impact people of color and low-income women who already experience unfair barriers to healthcare. I will fight to codify Roe v. Wade and guarantee the right to choose. Women, BIPOC, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community are disproportionately affected by interpersonal violence in rural Alaska. I will fight to ensure federal law enforcement and public safety agencies focus on solutions for all Alaskans, including support for the Violence Against Women Act that has instituted a pilot program to give certain jurisdiction to tribes to prosecute crimes disproportionately impacting Alaska Native women and children. Furthermore, we must address the underlying causes of crime by building an economy that works for all of us. I will work to ensure that every Alaskan and American has access to quality and affordable jobs, housing, education, and healthcare. Are you in favor or against an Alaskan Constitutional Convention? And if you are in favor, give your reasons. Alaskans have never supported a constitutional convention in the past and we shouldn’t support one now. Some state leaders are calling for a constitutional convention to take away a woman’s right to choose in Alaska, which is currently protected under the state constitution.I do not support this effort.
