Peltola takes credit for Willow approval in tight Alaska race

By Garrett Downs | 10/15/2024 01:52 PM EDT

Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola and her Republican challenger faced off in a debate last week.

Nick Begich and Mary Peltola debating.

Alaska Republican Nick Begich and Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola debating last week. Alaska Public Media/YouTube

Alaska Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola and her Republican challenger traded blows over public lands and mining policy in a debate Thursday.

Nick Begich is challenging Peltola, the lone Democrat in Congress from Alaska, in one of the country’s tightest races. Polls suggest the contest is a toss-up.

A centrist member of the Blue Dog Coalition, Peltola frequently bucks her party on natural resources issues — favoring more development. Holding Peltola’s seat is a top priority for national Democrats as they seek to win back a majority in the House.

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Peltola burnished her bipartisan bona fides during the debate, including by taking credit for President Joe Biden’s 2023 approval of an oil drilling project on federal lands known as Willow, a politically costly flip-flop for Biden, who famously pledged there would be no new drilling on federal lands in his 2020 campaign.

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