Trump and Sullivan Criticize Peltola Attendance Record
Republican leaders target Alaska Senate candidate Mary Peltola over her history of missed legislative and council votes.
Updated on Oct. 25, 2026 in Elections
Senator Dan Sullivan and former President Donald Trump are criticizing Alaska Senate candidate Mary Peltola for her past attendance record in public office. Peltola has attributed her absences during her congressional tenure to maternity leave and family tragedies.
Why it matters
The criticism centers on Peltola's historical voting attendance across multiple levels of government. Her campaign maintains that absences in recent years were due to the deaths of her husband and mother in 2023.
Peltola missed 17 percent of 1,370 roll-call votes in Congress between 2022 and 2024. This follows earlier records of 36 percent absenteeism during her tenure on the Bethel City Council from 2011 to 2013.
The players
Mary Peltola
She is a candidate for the Alaska Senate seat and previously served as a congresswoman.
Dan Sullivan
He is the incumbent Republican Senator representing Alaska.
Donald Trump
He is the current President of the United States who has criticized Peltola's legislative record.
The details
The Justice Department has filed a lawsuit to block the certification of the November 3 election, citing concerns that voter confusion arose from two candidates having near-identical names. Donald Trump has alleged that Democrats intentionally included the rival candidate to siphon votes away from incumbent Republican Dan Sullivan.
Timeline
Peltola missed 18 percent of state House votes between 1999 and 2009.
Peltola missed 36 percent of Bethel City Council meetings from 2011 to 2013.
Peltola's mother passed away in May 2023.
Peltola served as a congresswoman from 2022 to 2024.
The Alaska Senate election took place on November 3.
Political Context
The Justice Department lawsuit regarding candidate name similarity highlights ongoing legal debates surrounding ballot access and voter confusion under the Help America Vote Act. This challenge to the November 3 election certification marks a departure from standard state-level election administration.
The ongoing Justice Department lawsuit regarding the November 3 election results could delay the final certification of the Senate seat. Residents should prepare for potential legal proceedings that may impact the seating of the state's next representative.
The takeaway
Voters should monitor official government updates regarding the certification process of the November 3 election. Understanding the legal arguments behind the Justice Department lawsuit provides critical context for the current Senate race in Alaska.
Further reading
For more information on the current cycle, visit the Alaska Elections page.
