Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) has recently initiated a fundraising campaign for Alaska Senate candidate Mary Peltola, sparking discussions within political circles. This move comes as a surprise to some, given Peltola's support for pro-gun and pro-oil stances, which traditionally diverge from the progressive agenda closely associated with Ocasio-Cortez and the Squad.
The fundraising appeal, which encourages supporters to contribute to both Ocasio-Cortez's political movement and Peltola's campaign, praises Peltola as a proponent of economic reform. The appeal highlights Peltola's commitment to lowering grocery prices and expanding affordable housing. However, it omits her alignment with positions such as gun rights and oil exploration that are usually less popular among progressive Democrats.
Mary Peltola, who previously held Alaska's sole House seat after a 2022 special election victory, lost her re-election bid in 2024 to Republican Nick Begich. During her tenure in Congress, Peltola openly supported Arctic drilling and lobbied the Biden administration to greenlight the Willow Project, an $8 billion oil development venture by ConocoPhillips which faced heavy opposition from environmental activists.
Notably, Peltola was the only Democrat to receive an endorsement from the National Rifle Association (NRA) during the 2024 election cycle. Her campaign embraced the slogan "fish, family, freedom," which resonated with her constituency's values. Despite her record, Ocasio-Cortez's fundraising page asserts that both campaigns reject corporate donations, a claim made complicated by external funding from oil-linked super PACs, including those affiliated with Chevron and ConocoPhillips.
This endorsement by Ocasio-Cortez marks a significant departure from her usual support for fellow Squad members and left-leaning candidates. Political analysts suggest that this decision may indicate a strategic pivot rather than a shift in ideological principles. The New York Post cites experts who view Ocasio-Cortez's move as an adoption of a leadership-focused approach, akin to that of established Democratic figures.
Florida State University's political scientist, Lonna Atkeson, remarked that Ocasio-Cortez's endorsement might reflect a prioritization of electability and party control over maintaining a strict progressive stance. The support extended to Peltola has also spurred speculation regarding Ocasio-Cortez's political aspirations, with a Senate run seeming more likely than a presidential bid. A Senate campaign would necessitate broader appeal to moderate Democrats, a requirement for electoral success beyond Ocasio-Cortez's deeply Democratic home district.
Amidst these developments, the spotlight shines on Senator Chuck Schumer, who has faced questions about his leadership following a relatively modest fundraising year. With Ocasio-Cortez's growing national fundraising prowess and Peltola polling ahead of incumbent Senator Dan Sullivan (R) of Alaska, alliances formed now may have future implications for Democratic leadership dynamics.
