Bethel’s own Mary Peltola, now running for U.S. Senate as a Democrat, has built much of her 2026 campaign around fishing imagery and identity. But a review of her legislative history shows she has not sponsored a single fish-related bill during her first term in the U.S. House of Representatives, which began in 2022.
Peltola’s campaign has leaned heavily on fish symbolism. She created and promoted a salmon-themed video game called “Salmon Run.” A Super PAC backing her campaign is named the Fish Family Freedom Fund. Her campaign slogan opens with the word “Fish.”
Her record in the Alaska House of Representatives tells a similar story. Over roughly 10 years in that chamber, Peltola introduced one bill dealing with fish — a loan program allowing fishermen to borrow money to pay overdue taxes, with the loans repaid at interest.
Peltola’s record on Alaska energy policy has also drawn attention. While in Congress, she co-led Democratic opposition to the Alaska’s Right to Produce Act, a bill aimed at reversing Biden administration restrictions on oil and gas development in the state, including in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. She had voted for the bill in committee but voted “present” when it came to the House floor.
After leaving Congress, Peltola joined Holland & Hart, a law and lobbying firm, as senior director of Alaska affairs, earning close to half a million dollars a year in that role.
Republican National Committee spokesman Nick Poche criticized Peltola’s record, telling Breitbart News: “Mary Peltola sold out Alaskans to become a lobbyist; she urged her colleagues to shut down Alaskan energy; and now we know she doesn’t give a damn about fish. Everything about Peltola is fake; she’s a swamp creature fraud, and she should be ashamed to exist let alone be running for office.”
Attendance record also under review
Peltola’s history of absences during her time in public office has drawn scrutiny as well. Over 13 years in public service, her accumulated absences amounted to nearly three years of missed work, according to records cited by Fox News. She missed 794 of more than 4,000 votes during five terms in the Alaska House of Representatives, along with 22 Bethel City Council meetings.
A spokesperson for Peltola’s campaign said she took maternity leave while serving in the state House. The spokesperson said that, excluding excused absences, she missed about six percent of votes while continuing to advance bipartisan measures.
