First Alaska Native to be sworn in to Congress – By Farnoush Amiri (Associated Press) / Sept 13, 2022
WASHINGTON (AP) — On the eve of her first day in Congress, Mary Peltola stood outside what was once the office of the late Alaska Rep. Don Young, swarmed by the local and national press, and marveled at the moment.
“I really hope that Don is getting a kick out of this,” Peltola told The Associated Press in an interview Monday. “I can’t help but think that some things broke my way on account of his great sense of humor.”
The kicker is that 50 years ago, right before Peltola was born, her parents worked on Young’s first campaign for the only congressional seat in Alaska. Young won and went on to hold it for 49 years before his death in March.
Last month, on her 49th birthday, Peltola, a Democrat, won the special election to finish out Young’s term, besting a field of candidates that included Republican Sarah Palin, who was seeking a political comeback in the state where she was governor.
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