OPINION: Peltola would do Alaskans proud in Congress

No matter who wins the recent special general election, in November, Alaskans will be asked again to choose between a few very different candidates for our sole U.S. House of Representatives seat. I know who I am choosing. I am voting for Mary Peltola.

Mary represents better tomorrows for every Alaskan. She represents civility, decorum and thoughtfulness. She is a champion for justice and equity. Mary is a defender of women’s reproductive rights, often speaking of her stalwart belief in a woman’s right to privacy. In many states where politicians are advocating for severe restrictions on women’s rights, I know Mary will fight tooth and nail for my right to make decisions about my own body.

Mary is from rural Alaska, where she has worked and lived, fighting for the rights of all Alaskans. As a state legislator, Mary championed fiscal support for schools and substance use disorder treatment. During her time in Juneau, she reinvigorated the nonpartisan Bush Caucus and brought needed attention to many of the same struggles folks in rural Alaska continue to experience. As a legislator, Mary worked across party lines, exemplifying what it means to treat others with civility and grace.

As a tribal fisheries executive, Mary has worked diligently for inclusive fisheries management. She is a strong advocate for food security and Alaska subsistence fishing, in addition to recognizing the critical importance climate change is having on our local communities.

Without comparison, Mary is the most qualified candidate for U.S. House, and her background and expertise on a variety of issues facing Alaskans are unparalleled. Most importantly, her professional background and skills are not the only tools in her proverbial toolkit.

Born and raised in this state, Mary represents something no other candidates on the Aug. 16 ballot can claim. As a member of the BIPOC — Black, Indigenous, People of Color — community, Mary understands the lived experiences of many Alaskans, including myself. She gets the nuances and dynamics of living both in rural and urban communities. Her background and personal knowledge of traditional ecological knowledge, impacts of climate change, understanding of commercial and subsistence fisheries, and the difficulties of raising a family in Alaska resoundingly make her the best candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives.

Every Alaskan has a reason to be excited about Mary. We now have an opportunity to elect the first Alaska Native to represent our state in the U.S. House. Over the past several months, we all have been introduced to Mary and we now know how she will fight to reduce inflation, invest in health care and tackle climate change with clean energy.

She is an inspirational candidate who represents the best of who we are as Alaskans. We would do well to elect Mary Peltola to Congress.

Löki Gale Tobin is a former staff member in the Alaska Legislature who is running for Alaska Senate District I. She lives in Anchorage.

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