Breaking News. History was made on Wednesday when Alaska Native Mary Peltola, a Democrat, was elected to fill Alaska's congressional at-large seat that has been vacant since longtime Congressman Don Young died unexpectedly in March, 2022.
Peltola, who is Yup’ik, made history because she is the first Alaska Native member of Congress, as well as the first Democratic woman to represent Alaska in the U.S. House of Representatives and only the fifth person to represent the state in the House since Alaska gained statehood in 1959.
[INTERVIEW: Mary Peltola Set to Become First Alaska Native in Congress]
Peltola beat former Alaska governor and GOP vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin in the special election. In the special election, Peltola garnered 51.5 percent of the vote to Palin’s 48.5 percent. Palin, a Republican, had the endorsement of former President Donald Trump, who campaigned for her in the state. Republican candidate Nick Begich III finished third in voting.
The election victory was a 49th birthday present for Peltola, who was born on August 31, 1973.
Peltola will be sworn in on September 13, 2022 and will serve in Congress until the end of the current term. She will have to run for re-election in the midterm election on November 8, 2022.
Peltola was elected at age 24 to represent the Bethel region in the state House of Representatives. She served in that seat for a decade, from 1999 until 2009. She and U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) entered the state legislature the same year, and Peltola said that she's respected Murkowski ever since.
Editor’s Note: This is a developing story.
More Stories Like This
Native News Weekly (August 25, 2024): D.C. BriefsUS Presidents in Their Own Words Concerning American Indians
Native News Weekly (August 4, 2024): D.C. Briefs
Native News Weekly (April 20, 2025): D.C. Briefs
Happy Easter from Native News Online
Can we take a minute to talk about tribal sovereignty?
Our mission draws from the warrior spirit that has sustained Indigenous peoples for generations — the same spirit that drives us to stand guard over tribal rights through relentless investigation and fearless reporting.
Sovereignty isn't just a concept – it's the foundation of Native nations' right to govern, protect our lands, and preserve our cultures. Every story we publish strengthens tribal sovereignty.
Unlike mainstream media, we center Indigenous voices and report directly from Native communities. When we cover land rights, water protection, or tribal governance, we're not just sharing news – we're documenting our living history and defending our future.
Our journalism is powered by readers, not shareholders. If you believe in the importance of Native-led media in protecting tribal sovereignty, consider supporting our work today.
