Barrier-breaking Alaska congresswoman copes with personal tragedy as she faces tough reelection bid

Associated Press

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Alaska Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola is in a tough reelection fight against Republican Nick Begich in a high-stakes race that follows a year of intense personal tragedy for the lawmaker. Peltola lost her mother and her husband within a four-month span in 2023. Peltola called the period around her husband’s death one of the most difficult of her life and returned to Washington about a month later, saying it was a difficult time for the country, too. Peltola is seeking to prove that her special and regular election wins in 2022 following the death of longtime Republican Rep. Don Young weren’t a “fluke,” as former President Donald Trump suggested during a recent tele-rally for Begich.