WASHINGTON (Gray DC) – Rep. Mary Peltola (D-Alaska) is leaving Congress in just a couple of weeks after losing her re-election bid last month.
The one-term representative sat down with Gray Media’s Washington Correspondent Josh Rultenberg for her first televised interview to reflect on her time as a lawmaker and what lies ahead for her in the future.
Below is a transcript of the interview:
Rultenberg:
“Congresswoman Mary Peltola, thank you for taking the time. Really appreciate it. I know it’s been a hectic couple of months for you, but your time in Congress is coming to an end. First time catching up with you in a couple of months. So just wanted to get your thoughts on just, what, last month, everything that happened there, what transpired? And now that you’ve had some time to reflect.”
Peltola:
“Yeah. Great to see you again, Josh. a whole world has happened since we last visited. I feel really good about the last two years. You know, it’s funny, I’m very philosophical about elections, and I just feel like electoral politics has so much to do with luck and timing. And sometimes the tide and the wind and the currents on your side, and sometimes it isn’t. And, I experienced that back to back here in 2022 and then 2024. And I feel really good about the two years that we had, the two plus years that we had. I think we accomplished a lot, a lot of great wins for Alaska, even though it’s been a really do nothing Congress and happy to brag about that.”
Rultenberg:
“Sure. And we’ll get to that in a second. But before we move on just from the election, just want to ask, I mean, there’s always the Monday morning quarterback write of what we could have done differently. When you look back on it, I mean, it was a very small margin. Is there anything you would have done differently in that race?”
Peltola:
“Well, it’s funny that you put it that way. And I think in lower 48 terms, 7 or 8000 is a very small amount of people. But in Alaska, that’s a very big amount. That’s a, that’s a big number. You know, our hubs, our regional hubs are about 4 or 6000 people in a hub. And that’s a lot of votes, you know, and I have been reflective and and of course you think, well, what if I had done this or gone to this other community or, shown up for this event, but almost 8000 votes is a lot of votes. So I’m, I’m happy with, the showing that we had. You know, when you look at Alaska coming in at 13.5 points higher for the Republicans than the Democrats, and I only lost by three points. So to me that there’s a win in there. There’s a win inside that loss. And we had such a great, diverse group of supporters every sector, every kind of fisherman, every kind of Alaskan. And it’s just heartwarming. And, and I really appreciate all the time and energy and effort and money that Alaskans put into our race. It was quite a community that came together.”
Rultenberg:
“And as you said, you did a lot over this two years here for the people of Alaska, even though, as you said, there was a bit of a logjam when it comes to the entire Congress. When you look back, what are some things that you’re proudest of?”
Peltola:
“Well, my top ones are, you know, taking the lead in Alaska on the Kroger Albertsons merger. And that has been halted. And, you know we can celebrate that win. I think that’s ultimately going to be really impactful in a good way for Alaskan households. And Alaskans across the board oppose that merger as well. We got an icebreaker after about a 10-year fight. And I think it’s worth saying, you know, Michigan has 11 icebreakers. Alaska doesn’t have 11. We are looking forward to, we’re still really low in the single digits. So we are looking forward to getting more icebreakers. We got energy grid (improvements). We’re beefing up our electricity grid and, creating a new grid that will accept renewable energy. And I think that’s really important as Alaska grows. We got the Willow project. With commercial fishing, we were able to get the president to issue an executive order finally, again, after ten years, to prevent the loophole that allowed Russian caught fish into American markets. And we certainly don’t need that competition when they’re not buying our fish. And on and on. So many other wins, a lot of capital projects. And I think just being here and working in a bipartisan way and working to get things done and being proactive and having deliverables and again, doing it in a way that isn’t creating more divisiveness among Americans.”
Rultenberg:
“With that said, what do you think is the biggest thing you learned as a member of Congress?”
Peltola:
“I learned so much. I met so many interesting people. D.C. there are so many similarities to a state legislature, but it is entirely different also. I learned a lot from the senators from Alaska. We had a very cohesive delegation, and we were able to complement each other’s strengths, and I learned a lot from them. My staff is incredible. You know, I had a larger staff than I’ve ever had. Again, it’s about a quarter the size of Senator Murkowski, about a third the size of Senator Sullivan. But it was still a big team to me. We had about ten people in DC and a number of people in Alaska, and no office can operate without a wonderful team. And every single person who has worked in my office has been brilliant.”
Rultenberg:
“Is there anything you’re going to miss? ”
Peltola:
“I like the camaraderie. There are there are moments, snapshots that were just exceptional and you really kind of have to pinch yourself. I’m so blessed to have had this opportunity.”
Rultenberg:
“I know with speaking with you and getting to know you, I mean, you faced your fair share of adversity here in these two years. I remember speaking with you right after your husband passed. and then you did get a standing ovation from the people in Congress, in the House of Representatives. you know what was that like to go through on such a national stage?”
Peltola:
“Well, I’m still going through it.”
Rultenberg:
“Right.”
Peltola:
“So, you know, I don’t think a person ever gets over that, but, you know, people were very loving, and the outreach was very heartwarming. People from the very opposite political spectrum really reached out. There was a lot of humanity. I had a lot of other members asking me how they can pray for me, which is, a question that’s hard to answer, you know. But my kids are all excelling in their lives. And, Yeah. Still going through it.”
Rultenberg:
“Sure. No, I, I completely understand.”
Peltola:
“Yeah.”
Rultenberg:
“With that said, here, as you move on, have you thought about what’s next for you?”
Peltola:
“Well, up until these last days, and we just have a few more days. I have been pushing the Landless Bill. There is a bill that would help elders who are on benefits receive dividends and that not count against their benefits. So, we had a going away reception last night, and I was still arm twisting on getting these bills in the in the Landless, the Landless Bill in the lands package and other things. So I think I’ll, be ready more to think about the transition once this is completely closed out.”
Rultenberg:
“You’re just looking forward to that time off back with your family?”
Peltola:
“I am. I’m looking forward to a private life again.”
Rultenberg:
“For anybody that’s coming into the next Congress, any advice for them?”
Peltola:
“Every decision you make is important. And, you know, the more you talk to diverse groups, I think the better the outcome. And we just need a a Congress that’s much less partisan. So anything new members can do to help turn down the dial on the partisanship I think is helpful.”
Rultenberg:
“Anything else you want to add?”
Peltola:
“I’m just really grateful. And thank you to all Alaskans for allowing me to represent you. And I’m looking forward to working with you again in the future.”
Rultenberg:
“Congresswoman Mary Peltola, thank you for the time.”
Peltola:
“Thanks, Josh.”
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