Mary Peltola’s Campaign Overhauls Prior to Alaska Senate Primary

In the final days before Alaska’s nonpartisan top-four primary, Democratic Senate candidate Mary Peltola dismissed longtime senior aide Elisa Rios, who had managed her two House campaigns and was serving as campaign manager for the Senate bid. A deputy campaign manager, Cheryl Bruce, was also removed, and two veteran contractors were let go. The campaign announced that Bruce would assume the role of campaign manager. Anton McParland, Peltola’s former chief of staff in Congress, transitioned to a “general consultant” position, while the campaign declined to comment on the reasons for the changes or to make McParland available for interview.

New York Times

Peltola, a former Alaska congresswoman, announced her Senate run in January and quickly became the Democratic Party’s leading prospect for flipping the seat held by Republican incumbent Senator Dan Sullivan. Early fundraising was strong, and she initially benefited from a fundraising appeal signed by former Vice President Kamala Harris. As the primary approached, Peltola’s team sought to distance herself from Harris, a move that Republicans highlighted given Alaska’s conservative electorate.

New York Times

The campaign framed the departures of the contractors as routine, noting they were part-time workers whose services were no longer needed for the general election. No comment was provided on the specific motivations behind the senior staff changes.

New York Times

A new poll from Data for Progress released the week before the primary suggested Peltola held a lead over Senator Sullivan, reinforcing her allies’ view that the staffing adjustments had not jeopardized her competitive standing.

New York Times