In 2022, Mary Peltola made history as the first Alaska Native and the first woman to represent Alaska in the U.S. Congress.
Peltola, a Democrat, in fact broke ground two times that year. First, she won a special election that was held in August 2022 following the death of Don Young, a Republican who became known for his Native advocacy during his nearly five decades of public service.
Then Peltola defeated two Republicans -- including a former U.S. vice presidential nominee -- in a November 2022 election that led to a full term in the U.S. House of Representatives. Both elections were held under a ranked-ballot system that was used for the first time that year.
In 2024, Peltola is again facing two major party candidates -- including one of the Republicans she defeated two years ago. That's Nick Begich, whose family is well-known in Alaska for producing Democratic politicians.
Peltola is also running against a fellow Democrat. That's Eric Hafner, who would not be able to serve in Congress since he is currently imprisoned in the federal system for calling in false bomb threats to government offices in New Jersey.
Still, Hafner's presence in the race has caused concerns among Democrats in Alaska, who were unsuccessful in getting him removed from the ballot. And Begich is running a strong campaign, with Republican-commissioned polls showing him in the lead against Peltola.
But Alaska Natives, who represent about 15 percent of the population in Alaska, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, are eager to make a difference of their own with their voting efforts. The Alaska Federation of Natives, the state's largest Native organization, is backing Peltola, who is Yup’ik.
"Representative Mary Peltola is a dedicated and passionate advocate for the people of Alaska," AFN Co-Chair Joe Nelson said after organization delegates passed an endorsement resolution at their convention in Anchorage last month.
"Her commitment to representing our state in the nation's capital and her unwavering support for our communities make her the ideal candidate to continue serving Alaska," said Nelson. "I am proud to support Mary in her efforts to ensure that Alaskans have a strong voice in Washington, D.C."
AFN also passed a resolution in support of keeping the state's ranked-ballot system that has been instrumental to Peltola's success. The organization is urging a "No" vote on Ballot Measure 2.
"Voting is not only our right—it is our power," said AFN Co-Chair Ana Hoffman. "When we vote, we flex our power to choose, to speak up, and to stand with those who support our views and values. Every vote counts, and let's make our voices heard for the future we believe in."
Begich has the support of state and national Republicans, including U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump and Rep. Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana), the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. But there is one key member of the GOP that he cannot count on.
That's Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), who serves as vice chair of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. As she did during the 2022 election cycle, Murkowski is endorsing Peltola.
"I look at her as one who is committed to issues that are important to the people of Alaska, and I think it’s important that those interests are represented back in Washington, D.C.," Murkowski told reporters while she was attending the AFN convention last month.
Murkowski also has earned the power of the Native vote. She won her first re-election race in 2010 as a write-in candidate thanks to the backing of Alaska Native corporations.
Polls in Alaska close at 8pm local time, which is four hours behind Eastern time. Unofficial results will be available from the Alaska Division of Elections.