‘Not Alaska First’: Peltola’s Green New Deal allies draw scrutiny in Alaska Senate bid
Are they actually going to vote on something real?
Prominent national Democrats who back aggressive climate policies are lining up behind former Rep. Mary Peltola’s (D-AK) Senate bid, handing Republicans an opening to argue her Alaska-focused energy message clashes with the priorities of her most visible supporters.
Peltola, who launched her campaign in January to challenge Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK), is running in a state where oil revenue underpins the economy and funds annual dividend checks for residents. GOP strategists say endorsements from leading climate figures expose a tension between her energy message and the national Democratic movement backing her.
“Republicans don’t need to persuade Alaskans that national Democrats oppose fossil fuels. Alaskans already know it,” said GOP strategist Dennis Lennox. “Oil and gas are the backbone of Alaska’s economy and the Permanent Fund. Mary Peltola can brand herself however she wants, but support from Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ed Markey tells voters exactly where she fits in the national Democratic Party — Alaska Last, not Alaska First.”
Republicans say the contradiction is politically unsustainable in a state where energy development is central to jobs, state revenue, and the cost of living.
“You can’t campaign as pro-oil in Alaska while taking political support from people trying to shut the industry down nationally,” said a National Republican strategist based in Washington. “Voters understand the stakes here.”
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) waves as she walks down the Capitol steps following the last votes of the week, on Thursday, December 4, 2025.
The Green New Deal, introduced in 2019 by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA), was a nonbinding congressional resolution that never became law but outlined goals to rapidly cut greenhouse gas emissions and steer the U.S. economy away from fossil fuels through large-scale renewable energy investment. Markey has also introduced legislation to block drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Ocasio-Cortez and Markey are not the only high-profile Democrats supporting Peltola. There’s also Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA), who has advanced policies to phase out fossil fuels in his state; Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who has backed national climate initiatives aimed at accelerating renewable energy; and former Vice President Kamala Harris, who has supported major federal climate legislation and restrictions on new oil and gas leasing.
Peltola’s …
Are they actually going to vote on something real?
Prominent national Democrats who back aggressive climate policies are lining up behind former Rep. Mary Peltola’s (D-AK) Senate bid, handing Republicans an opening to argue her Alaska-focused energy message clashes with the priorities of her most visible supporters.
Peltola, who launched her campaign in January to challenge Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK), is running in a state where oil revenue underpins the economy and funds annual dividend checks for residents. GOP strategists say endorsements from leading climate figures expose a tension between her energy message and the national Democratic movement backing her.
“Republicans don’t need to persuade Alaskans that national Democrats oppose fossil fuels. Alaskans already know it,” said GOP strategist Dennis Lennox. “Oil and gas are the backbone of Alaska’s economy and the Permanent Fund. Mary Peltola can brand herself however she wants, but support from Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ed Markey tells voters exactly where she fits in the national Democratic Party — Alaska Last, not Alaska First.”
Republicans say the contradiction is politically unsustainable in a state where energy development is central to jobs, state revenue, and the cost of living.
“You can’t campaign as pro-oil in Alaska while taking political support from people trying to shut the industry down nationally,” said a National Republican strategist based in Washington. “Voters understand the stakes here.”
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) waves as she walks down the Capitol steps following the last votes of the week, on Thursday, December 4, 2025.
The Green New Deal, introduced in 2019 by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA), was a nonbinding congressional resolution that never became law but outlined goals to rapidly cut greenhouse gas emissions and steer the U.S. economy away from fossil fuels through large-scale renewable energy investment. Markey has also introduced legislation to block drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Ocasio-Cortez and Markey are not the only high-profile Democrats supporting Peltola. There’s also Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA), who has advanced policies to phase out fossil fuels in his state; Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who has backed national climate initiatives aimed at accelerating renewable energy; and former Vice President Kamala Harris, who has supported major federal climate legislation and restrictions on new oil and gas leasing.
Peltola’s …
‘Not Alaska First’: Peltola’s Green New Deal allies draw scrutiny in Alaska Senate bid
Are they actually going to vote on something real?
Prominent national Democrats who back aggressive climate policies are lining up behind former Rep. Mary Peltola’s (D-AK) Senate bid, handing Republicans an opening to argue her Alaska-focused energy message clashes with the priorities of her most visible supporters.
Peltola, who launched her campaign in January to challenge Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK), is running in a state where oil revenue underpins the economy and funds annual dividend checks for residents. GOP strategists say endorsements from leading climate figures expose a tension between her energy message and the national Democratic movement backing her.
“Republicans don’t need to persuade Alaskans that national Democrats oppose fossil fuels. Alaskans already know it,” said GOP strategist Dennis Lennox. “Oil and gas are the backbone of Alaska’s economy and the Permanent Fund. Mary Peltola can brand herself however she wants, but support from Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ed Markey tells voters exactly where she fits in the national Democratic Party — Alaska Last, not Alaska First.”
Republicans say the contradiction is politically unsustainable in a state where energy development is central to jobs, state revenue, and the cost of living.
“You can’t campaign as pro-oil in Alaska while taking political support from people trying to shut the industry down nationally,” said a National Republican strategist based in Washington. “Voters understand the stakes here.”
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) waves as she walks down the Capitol steps following the last votes of the week, on Thursday, December 4, 2025.
The Green New Deal, introduced in 2019 by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA), was a nonbinding congressional resolution that never became law but outlined goals to rapidly cut greenhouse gas emissions and steer the U.S. economy away from fossil fuels through large-scale renewable energy investment. Markey has also introduced legislation to block drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Ocasio-Cortez and Markey are not the only high-profile Democrats supporting Peltola. There’s also Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA), who has advanced policies to phase out fossil fuels in his state; Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who has backed national climate initiatives aimed at accelerating renewable energy; and former Vice President Kamala Harris, who has supported major federal climate legislation and restrictions on new oil and gas leasing.
Peltola’s …
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