Jewish Voter Guide
Mary Peltola
U.S. Senate · AK · Democrat
Summary
Mary Peltola is the Democratic nominee in Alaska's 2026 U.S. Senate election and will face Republican incumbent Dan Sullivan in the ranked-choice general election. Former Representative Mary Peltola established a broadly pro-Israel record during her time in Congress. She supported resolutions affirming Israel's right to defend itself, voted for emergency military and security assistance, and backed legislation intended to prevent the withholding of congressionally approved aid. Peltola also supported measures declaring that a nuclear-armed Iran is unacceptable and imposing sanctions on Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and other terrorist organizations threatening Israel.
Peltola condemned Hamas's October 7 attack and expressed support for Israel and its right to defend against attacks on civilians. She voted for legislation and resolutions addressing antisemitism and campus antisemitism, supported sanctions against International Criminal Court officials involved in actions targeting Israeli leaders, and engaged directly with Alaska's Jewish community through holiday outreach.
The record
Positions come from public votes, statements and on-the-record interviews. Every claim links to its source. No aggregate score or grade.
Support for a Strong U.S.-Israel Alliance
In October 2023, Peltola voted for H. Res. 771, which reaffirmed the United States' commitment to Israel's security and supported Israel's right to defend itself against the war launched by Hamas and other terrorist groups.
In April 2024, Peltola voted for H.R. 8034, the Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, which provided emergency military and security assistance to Israel.
In May 2024, Peltola was one of 16 House Democrats who voted for H.R. 8369, the Israel Security Assistance Support Act, which sought to prevent the administration from withholding congressionally approved military assistance from Israel.
Preventing a Nuclear Iran
In November 2023, Peltola voted for H. Res. 559, which declared that a nuclear-armed Iran is unacceptable and established it as U.S. policy to use all means necessary to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
Condemning and Combating Terrorism
In October 2023, Peltola and the other Blue Dog Coalition co-chairs condemned the terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, describing the murder and abduction of Israeli civilians as a shocking display of inhumanity. They called for immediately freezing $6 billion in Iranian assets and considering additional financial measures because of Iran's history of funding Hamas, Hezbollah, and other terrorist organizations.
In November 2023, Peltola voted for H.R. 340, the Hamas and Other Palestinian Terrorist Groups International Financing Prevention Act. The legislation sought to sanction foreign governments, individuals, and entities providing financial or material support to Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and other terrorist organizations threatening Israel.
Response to Hamas's October 7 Attack
Following the October 7 attacks, Peltola described the day as horrific for the people of Israel and everyone who hopes for peace. She said that she stood firmly with Israel and its right to defend against attacks on civilians and expressed sympathy for the victims and their families.
Fighting Antisemitism
In May 2024, Peltola voted for H.R. 6090, the Antisemitism Awareness Act. The legislation would require the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights to consider the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance working definition of antisemitism when investigating alleged antisemitic discrimination under Title VI.
In December 2023, Peltola voted for H. Res. 894, which strongly condemned the rise of antisemitism in the United States and around the world and called on elected officials and other public figures to denounce antisemitism.
Protecting Jewish Students on Campus
In December 2023, Peltola voted for H. Res. 927, which condemned antisemitism on university campuses and criticized the testimony of the presidents of Harvard University, the University of Pennsylvania, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology regarding their institutions' responses to calls for the genocide of Jews.
In November 2023, Peltola voted for H. Res. 798, which condemned support for Hamas, Hezbollah, and other terrorist organizations at institutions of higher education and warned that such activity could create a hostile environment for Jewish students, faculty, and staff. The resolution also called on university administrators to condemn campus antisemitism and protect Jewish students' free-speech rights without intimidation.
Protecting Jewish Institutions and Communities
In May 2023, Peltola voted for H. Res. 382, a bipartisan resolution condemning the rise of antisemitism in the United States and calling on elected officials to educate the public about the history and contributions of the Jewish American community. The resolution also encouraged government officials and civic leaders to confront antisemitism and support the safety and well-being of Jewish Americans.
Defending Israel in International Organizations
In June 2024, Peltola voted for the Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act, which sought to impose sanctions on International Criminal Court officials involved in efforts to investigate, arrest, detain, or prosecute protected persons from the United States or allied countries. The bill was introduced after the ICC prosecutor sought arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Peltola was one of 42 House Democrats who supported the measure.
Engagement with the Jewish Community
In December 2022, the Alaska Jewish Campus shared a holiday greeting from Peltola to Alaska's Jewish community, demonstrating direct outreach to Jewish Alaskans shortly after she entered Congress.
In April 2024, Peltola wished Jewish Alaskans a meaningful Passover, writing, 'Chag Sameach to Alaskans observing the first night of Passover.'
A note on methodology. This guide is published as an educational reference. The American Jewish Congress does not endorse candidates and does not publish aggregate scores. If you spot a position that needs an update or a better source, please reach the office.