Former Staffers Allege Mary Peltola Used Racial Slur in 2024

Two former staffers of former Representative Mary Peltola (D-AK) allege that she repeatedly used a racial slur in 2024, according to a report from the Alaska Landmine. The former aides, who worked in Peltola's House office and on her campaign, spoke to the Landmine on the condition of anonymity due to concerns about retaliation. They described separate incidents that occurred in 2024. One incident allegedly took place after an October 25, 2024 dinner honoring African American soldiers who contributed to the construction of the Alaska-Canada Highway during World War II. The event was promoted by Ed Wesley, an Army veteran and former president of the Anchorage NAACP, who pressured the campaign to purchase tables for the event. The campaign bought eight tables at $1,000 each, totaling $8,000, as indicated by an October 18, 2024 FEC filing. The tables were reportedly mostly empty, and Peltola did not attend. After being informed about the turnout, Peltola allegedly expressed anger and referred to Wesley using a racial slur. The former aide stated they had become 'numb' to such language and claimed to have previously heard Peltola use derogatory terms towards gay staffers. A second staffer alleged that Peltola used the racial slur multiple times during a spring 2024 campaign meeting, particularly after staff discovered that her son, Job Nelson, had a YouTube channel featuring rap music that included the word. This channel was later deleted. The second staffer noted that the use of the slur shocked everyone present, but no one confronted Peltola due to fear. These allegations follow a New York Times report detailing a pattern of angry outbursts and slurs attributed to Peltola during her time in office. Peltola is currently challenging Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) in a race that could impact Senate control. The Peltola campaign did not respond to the Landmine before publication but later stated that the report was 'an outright lie published by a right-wing gossip blogger' and asserted that 'Mary would never use this word, which is a vile slur with a painful, hateful history.'