This is never a good thing to say.
A Democratic Senate candidate backed by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is facing serious allegations of using racial slurs, creating fresh controversy just days before voters head to the polls in one of the nation’s most closely watched Senate races.
Mary Peltola, a former Alaska congresswoman now challenging Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan, has been accused by two former staff members of repeatedly using an offensive racial term while serving in Congress.
The allegations have raised questions about Peltola’s conduct and leadership as Democrats attempt to gain control of the U.S. Senate in the November 3 midterm elections.
Peltola’s campaign has strongly denied the accusations, calling them false and part of an effort to damage her reputation.
Former Employees Accuse Peltola of Using Racial Slurs
According to reporting from the Alaska Landmine and the New York Post, two former staff members alleged that Peltola used a racial slur on multiple occasions in 2024.
One accusation involves an October 25, 2024, dinner honoring nearly 4,000 Black American soldiers who helped construct the Alaska-Canada Highway during World War II.
Peltola’s campaign reportedly spent approximately $8,000 reserving tables for the event.
Ed Wesley, a Black Army veteran and former president of the Anchorage NAACP, had helped promote the gathering and reportedly indicated that the reserved tables would be filled.
However, attendance reportedly fell short of expectations.
According to an anonymous former employee, Peltola became angry after learning about the situation.
The former staffer alleged that Peltola repeatedly referred to Wesley as a scammer and used an offensive racial term while discussing him.
Peltola did not attend the dinner, according to the original reporting.
The accusations have not been independently verified, and her campaign maintains that the alleged remarks never occurred.
Second Staffer Describes Another Alleged Incident
The controversy extends beyond the dinner event.
A second former staff member reportedly accused Peltola of using the same racial term during a campaign staff meeting in the spring of 2024.
According to the Alaska Landmine, the meeting involved internal research into potential political vulnerabilities that Republicans might raise during the election.
The former employee alleged that Peltola repeated the offensive term while discussing rap music posted online by her son.
The staffer claimed that employees were surprised by the language but were reluctant to confront the congresswoman.
Both former employees spoke anonymously, citing concerns about possible retaliation.
Their accounts remain allegations rather than established findings.
Nevertheless, the accusations have attracted attention because they involve a prominent Democratic candidate seeking a seat in the United States Senate.
Peltola Campaign Fires Back Against Accusations
Peltola’s campaign has rejected the claims and challenged the credibility of the individuals making them.
A campaign spokesperson characterized the accusations as a politically motivated smear originating from a former employee who had been fired.
The spokesperson also insisted that Peltola would never use the racial term described in the reports, acknowledging its deeply offensive and painful history.
The campaign has portrayed the controversy as an effort to undermine Peltola during a competitive election.
That denial is important because the central allegations rely on accounts from former employees whose identities have not been publicly disclosed.
For voters evaluating the controversy, the competing claims leave questions about exactly what happened.
Earlier Reports Raised Questions About Staff Treatment
The latest accusations follow previous reporting about Peltola’s behavior toward employees.
In September, the New York Times published an investigation describing allegations of angry outbursts, offensive language and troubling interactions involving former congressional and campaign staff members.
Some former employees alleged that Peltola regularly lost her temper and treated aides harshly.
One account alleged that she shoved a male staff member during an interaction in her congressional office.
Her campaign disputed that characterization, maintaining that the physical contact was accidental.
The campaign also acknowledged that Peltola had experienced an exceptionally difficult period following the deaths of her husband and mother in 2023.
Representatives argued that some incidents had been exaggerated or misrepresented.
Other former employees publicly defended Peltola, describing her as demanding but not abusive.
The conflicting accounts have made her workplace conduct an ongoing issue in the Senate campaign.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s Endorsement Draws Attention
Peltola’s connection to Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has also become part of the political discussion.
Ocasio-Cortez, a leading figure in the Democratic Party’s progressive wing, supported Peltola’s Senate campaign earlier this year.
In January, the New York congresswoman encouraged her supporters to contribute to Peltola’s election effort.
That backing brought additional national attention to the Alaska Democrat’s campaign.
Peltola has frequently promoted herself as an independent-minded Democrat willing to depart from her party on important issues.
During her congressional career, she supported oil development in Alaska, including the Willow Project, and received an endorsement from the National Rifle Association during the 2024 election cycle.
Those positions helped her appeal to some voters outside the Democratic Party’s traditional base.
However, her support from Ocasio-Cortez highlights the national political interest in flipping Alaska’s Republican-held Senate seat.
According to the New York Post, Ocasio-Cortez did not respond to its request for comment regarding the racial slur allegations.
There is no evidence that Ocasio-Cortez was involved in or knew about the alleged incidents.
Alaska Senate Race Could Have National Consequences
The allegations come at a particularly important time for both political parties.
Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan is seeking another term as Democrats attempt to make gains in states that have traditionally supported Republican candidates.
Alaska is generally considered Republican-leaning in presidential elections, but Peltola has demonstrated an ability to compete in statewide contests.
She previously served in the House of Representatives from 2022 to 2025, building a political profile that appealed to some independent voters.
Her Senate campaign has consequently attracted considerable national attention.
Recent polling cited in the New York Post showed Peltola holding a narrow two-point advantage over Sullivan, although polling results are estimates and do not determine the election outcome.
With such a competitive contest, the final days before Election Day could prove especially important.
The outcome may also influence the balance of power in Washington, affecting debates over federal spending, energy production, immigration enforcement and other national priorities.
Voters Will Have the Final Say
The accusations against Peltola present another issue for Alaska voters to consider as the November 3 election approaches.
Her former employees have made serious claims about her language and treatment of others, while her campaign has firmly rejected the allegations.
No independent finding has established that she made the racial remarks described in the reports.
Still, the controversy has intensified scrutiny of her leadership and professional judgment during a competitive Senate race.
For Republicans, the election offers an opportunity to defend a critical Senate seat. For Democrats, Peltola represents a chance to gain ground in a state that has frequently favored the GOP.
With control of the Senate potentially at stake, Alaska voters will ultimately decide whether Peltola’s political record, her campaign’s response to the allegations and the broader national issues justify sending her to Washington.
