Alaska voters are hearing renewed questions about the legislative attendance of Democratic Senate candidate Mary Peltola, a former state representative and Bethel city council member. State House records indicate Peltola missed 794 of 4,265 votes – an 18.6% absence rate – during her five terms from 1999 to 2009. City council minutes from Bethel show she was absent for 22 of 60 meetings, a 36.7% absence rate, while serving from 2011 to 2013.
Historical attendance patterns
The highest concentration of missed votes occurred during the 23rd Legislature (2003‑2004), when Peltola missed 334 of 1,019 House votes. On the municipal level, she missed nine of 22 council meetings in 2013 and 11 of 32 meetings in 2012. The data has been highlighted by Republican officials as evidence of a lack of consistent representation for Alaskans.
Congressional record adds to the picture
During her tenure in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2022 to 2024, GovTrack data shows Peltola missed 235 of 1,370 roll‑call votes, a 17.2% absence rate. Critics also note that none of the bills she sponsored became law, contrasting her record with that of incumbent Sen. Dan Sullivan, who has several enacted measures.
Campaign response
Peltola’s campaign attributes many of the absences to family responsibilities. A spokesperson emphasized that the former representative is a mother of seven and took maternity leave after the birth of three children while serving in the state House. Excluding excused absences, the campaign says her missed‑vote rate drops to about 6% and that she continued to advance bipartisan legislation, including measures aimed at public safety in rural Alaska and increased energy production.
The campaign also noted that some council absences coincided with traditional fishing seasons and summer fish‑camp work, which are integral to many Alaskan families and local economies.
Political context
Peltola announced her Senate bid in January, seeking to unseat two‑term Sen. Dan Sullivan, a Republican backed by former President Donald Trump. Alaska’s top‑four primary system placed both candidates in the general election, with Peltola finishing ahead of Sullivan in the primary. The race is closely watched because the outcome could affect the balance of power in the U.S. Senate.
Republican National Committee spokesperson Nick Poche criticized Peltola’s record, stating, “Alaskans deserve an all‑the‑time workhorse like Dan Sullivan, not someone who knifes Alaskans in the back when she even bothers to show up.” The National Republican Senatorial Committee similarly questioned her legislative effectiveness on social media.
Looking ahead
As the November ballot approaches, voters will weigh Peltola’s legislative attendance alongside policy positions, experience, and the broader national implications of the Senate balance. Both campaigns are expected to continue highlighting their records and contrasting them with the opponent’s, making attendance a recurring theme in the final stretch of the race.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
