Mary Peltola kicks of re-election campaign with Meet and Greet in Palmer

Representative Mary Peltola recently announced her re-election campaign, and has been hosting a number of Meet-and-Greet events as part of her campaign tour, making a stop in Palmer on Thursday evening.

Supporters, as well as a few undecided voters packed the Annex in Palmer turned out for the event.

“Beyond the fact that she’s a woman, she’s very smart, very personable, she’s a true Alaskan. I don’t agree with all of her policies and ideas, but she is earnest, she will talk to you as a real person,” said Penny McClain, who plans to volunteer for her campaign.

One of the oldest supporters at the event was 93-year-old Helen Woodings of Palmer, who has lived in Alaska since 1953.

“I respect her a great deal, support the Democratic party, and I am so glad that the United States and the state of Alaska has accepted her so easily as a woman, as a Native Alaskan,” said Woodings, who also admires Representative Peltola’s talent and the voice she carries of the people here in Alaska.

“We hear her; the state of Alaska hears her; and the legislature hears her.”

Woodings also has a message for those constituents who are either not wanting to vote or don’t bother to vote.

“We have to keep up the fight.” She recalls that a neighbor of hers doesn’t vote because she feels a wrong vote is worse than not voting at all, while others don’t keep up with the issues so they don’t bother to vote. “People need to be aware, need to be part of the community. I know the value of being involved. If you want anything good, you should go out and vote.”

Meanwhile, for 28-year-old Jordyn Chabotte, volunteering for a political campaign seemed an important way to become involved as she manned the Mat-Su Democrats and Friends table.

“I love what I’ve seen so far, and I just wanted to be involved and volunteer where I could in my community. I wanted to be able to help.”

“Mary was instrumental in getting Willow (Project) to the finish line, bringing new jobs and good energy to Alaska. She fought for the largest investment in renewable energy in American history, which means 75% of Alaskans will be powered by 85% renewable energy by 2035, and with continued advocacy, Mary was able to secure a ban on illegal Russian poaching and trawling on Alaskan fish,” Anton McParland, Representative Pelota’s chief of staff, said during the event.

“And we’re not done yet!”

Representative Peltola took time to speak with many of the attendees, listening to concerns from the state of the current Democratic Party, concerns about the education funding cuts, and the West Susitna access road project before addressing the crowd.

“Doing these events is the icing on the cake; this does not feel like work at all. And every event that we’ve had throughout the last campaign and this cycle, we’ve seen the vibe is just incredible. The people who come to these are so optimistic, and it’s all of you who are of service to your community.” She said that she is thankful to the hardworking, service-minded people here in Alaska and strives to bring that feeling of commonality and mentality to Washington D.C. rather than conflict, believing that most are ready to roll their sleeves up and work together.

“It’s a moment in time, an inflection point and I feel like Alaskans and Americans are ready to work together and hear positive things and see everyone as Americans and move ourselves and our state forward.”

She said that most of all she is happy to work together, collectively, to bring Alaska forward.

“When I go to work, I know that I’m there for 700,000+ Alaskans who have no other voice in D.C. It is the most wonderful job, a dream job of a lifetime. Thank you for helping me get there, for keeping the job.”