Sealaska endorses Peltola for U.S. Senate

Sealaska has endorsed Mary Peltola for U.S. Senate. The regional Alaska Native corporation, owned by more than 26,000 Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian shareholders in Southeast Alaska, cited her fisheries advocacy in a statement released by Peltola's campaign.

"Mary Peltola understands that thriving communities depend on abundance. Throughout her career, she has worked to sustain the resources, opportunities and ways of life that connect people to place," Sealaska said.

"Sealaska understands firsthand the devastating impacts of rising costs and decreasing salmon, halibut and herring runs, which is why it's a tremendous honor to receive their endorsement," Peltola said. Peltola has reported that Alaska's salmon return rate has fallen from six salmon for every spawning fish to less than one, a decline she attributes to bycatch from out-of-state factory trawlers.

Peltola, a former commercial fisherman, has toured Southeast Alaska. Her stated priorities there included the 8(a) contracting program, landless legislation and strengthening the Marine Highway System. Her platform also calls for boosting oil and gas development to lower energy costs. Separately, she has criticized Arctic drilling legislation for pitting energy development against fisheries and breaking promises to tribes.

Sealaska's board endorsed Peltola for the U.S. House in 2022, becoming the first Alaska Native corporation to back her, and again in 2024, citing her focus on sustainable fishing practices and the corporation's ocean health priorities.

Incumbent Sen. Dan Sullivan holds his own fisheries endorsement. United Fishermen of Alaska backed his reelection in May, with President Matt Alward citing Sullivan's record on the state's fisheries.

The endorsement statement contains no response from Sullivan or opposing voices. Peltola has also been endorsed by the Alaska AFL-CIO and AFGE.