Native Vote 2026
Former U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola (Yup’ik), who is running for the U.S. Senate seat held by Sen. Dan Sullivan, sharply criticized the federal government’s decision to deny Alaska’s request for additional disaster recovery funding following Typhoon Halong, accusing Sullivan of failing to adequately advocate for the state.
In a statement released this week, Peltola said the denial leaves Alaska struggling to recover from a devastating storm that destroyed entire villages and displaced more than 1,000 residents.
“Alaska is still suffering from the fallout of Typhoon Halong, which wiped out entire villages and has displaced more than 1,000 Alaskans – yet DC is turning its back on us,” Peltola said. “It’s unacceptable, and is yet another proofpoint that Dan Sullivan’s failed leadership is materially harming Alaska. Alaska needs two fighters in the Senate, and as Alaska’s next Senator I will stand up to anyone to secure the resources Alaskans need to rebuild their communities.”
According to Peltola’s campaign, federal officials rejected Alaska’s request for a 90% federal cost-share adjustment for disaster recovery expenses related to flooding and the remnants of Typhoon Halong. The decision is expected to leave the state responsible for tens of millions of dollars in additional costs.
Peltola also criticized Sullivan’s voting record, pointing to his support for cuts to Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster relief funding and his vote against funding for public media, including emergency broadcasting services that provided tsunami warnings to Alaskans.
The statement highlighted Peltola’s own record responding to natural disasters during her time in Congress. It noted that she visited communities affected by rockslides in Southeast Alaska, flooding in Juneau, and powerful storms in Western Alaska.
Her campaign also emphasized her role following Typhoon Merbok in 2022, when she worked with affected communities and a bipartisan coalition in Congress to secure federal funding covering 100% of eligible emergency assistance costs.
The funding dispute is expected to become a point of contention as disaster recovery and federal support for rural Alaska remain key issues facing communities across the state.
