Mary Peltola, the Democratic candidate in Alaska’s Senate race, directly addressed allegations of mistreatment of former staffers for the first time on Thursday, calling them “outright fabrications” and “mass exaggerations of the truth” in a debate.
Peltola, who is running against Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan in a close and widely watched race, has dodged questions on the campaign trail about the report by The New York Times from late September detailing mistreatment of staff. But at the hour-long Senate debate, the first time the candidates had faced off in such a setting, it came up several times.
Sullivan seemed eager to make it an issue, and brought up the allegations during an unrelated debate question.
“Take a look at how she treats Alaskans when the cameras are off. Look at that New York Times story,” he said, arguing it revealed a “character flaw.”
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He alluded to some of the outlet’s reporting beyond Peltola’s behavior toward staff, including her alleged use of slurs.
The two began talking over each other, with Sullivan adding, “It’s The New York Times, read the article.”
Peltola jumped in to say the allegations were “gossip.”
The moderator threatened to shut off their microphones if necessary.
Later, a moderator asked Peltola directly about the allegations.
“I do not think that this election is about me on my worst day,” she said. “I found so many of these allegations concerning and outright fabrications or mass exaggerations of the truth.”
“I really am very concerned about making sure that we are respectful and respectful of all people, and again, this campaign is not about me on my worst day,” she added.
The Democratic candidate also suggested that the allegations likely emerged because her campaign is a threat to Sullivan. The incumbent senator once again circled back to the subject, pointing out that the report was not published by “conservative media” but rather the Times.
The Times reported that former staffers said Peltola had a history of frustration with staff throughout her campaign and as a member of the House of Representatives. It outlined an instance of her allegedly shoving a staffer, which her campaign characterized to the outlet as a bump. The report also included her alleged use of slurs, which Sullivan referenced as he attacked her over the article.
The story also described a text in which Peltola said of someone, “I hope she dies of a botched abortion.” That was also used as an attack line by Sullivan.
In a statement to the Times, her campaign spokesperson denied that she had a pattern of abusive behavior and cited a period of grief following the deaths of Peltola’s mother and husband in 2023.
The allegations shook the race in the closing stretch of the campaign, prompting an intraparty feud among Democrats about whether the staffers who shared their accounts with the Times had been too sensitive.
It was not a debate many Democrats liked taking up oxygen, given that the Alaska race has emerged as one of the most competitive in the country, with The Cook Political Report rating it a “toss-up.” Sullivan has served in his seat for two terms and Peltola was previously a U.S. House representative for Alaska’s at-large district.
It was clear how high the stakes were for both of them, as those were not the only heated exchanges.
Peltola appeared to read off notecards for much of the debate, which Sullivan noticed in real time.
“We weren’t supposed to get these questions beforehand, were we?” he asked. (The moderators said no.) “I’m just watching my opponent read.”
“I’m prepared,” Peltola responded.
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