Peltola Accused of Using Racial Slur by Former Staffers

GRAND RAPIDS, MI. - Mary Peltola is fighting allegations by former staffers that she used the n-word in 2024, while she was serving as Alaska's representative in the U.S. House.

Peltola, 53, is the Alaska Democratic Senate hopeful challenging incumbent Sen. Dan Sullivan. Two former staffers, speaking anonymously and citing fear of retaliation, described separate episodes to the Alaska Landmine.

The first alleged episode followed an October 25, 2024 dinner honoring roughly 4,000 Black soldiers who helped build the Alaska-Canada Highway during World War II. Federal Election Commission records show Peltola's campaign spent $8,000 on tables for the event, after Ed Wesley, a Black Army veteran and former president of the Anchorage NAACP who promoted the dinner, reportedly assured her the tables would be filled.

When the tables sat mostly empty, and Peltola did not attend, a former staffer alleged she grew angry, repeatedly called Wesley a "scammer," and used the n-word. A second former staffer alleged Peltola used the n-word multiple times during a spring 2024 campaign staff meeting.

Peltola's campaign flatly denied the allegation, calling it part of a smear campaign driven by an unstable, disgruntled former staffer who was fired. A spokesperson said, "Mary would never use this word, which is a vile slur with a painful, hateful history."

Separately, Peltola faces accusations over a second Dan Sullivan on Alaska's Senate ballot. A New York Times report on October 28 said Peltola's campaign, working with Democratic operatives, recruited Daniel J. Sullivan, a retired teacher from Petersburg, to run against incumbent Sen. Dan S. Sullivan, in a bid to siphon votes from the incumbent.

The report cited Peltola's former campaign manager, Elisa Rios, who said Peltola was "definitely aware," and said Rios later attempted to retract her statements before publication. Peltola denied any knowledge, saying on October 29, "I knew nothing about any other candidates on the ballot except for me and the incumbent."

Peltola's campaign, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, and Daniel J. Sullivan have all denied any involvement or connection. The Justice Department has filed a lawsuit seeking to block certification if the result is found to be affected by voter confusion, and House Oversight Chairman James Comer has launched an investigation.