On X/Twitter, the Alaska Democratic Party doubled down in its support of Rep. Mary Peltola, even though Peltola has committed a possible crime by offering “FREE BEER!” to people as a way to lure them into her campaign headquarters in Fairbanks.
“This guy doesn’t like free beer!!!” the Democrats commented, responding to Republican candidate Nick Begich’s criticism of Peltola about offering pints to voters instead of good policy positions.
The advertising of free alcohol as a marketing tactic is a violation of Alaska law. But the Alaska Democratic Party thinks it’s a joke.
Nearly all of Peltola’s home region of Western Alaska is dry, by choice. Native village leaders in Alaska have long understood how serious alcoholism has been in their communities. According to research, up to 15% of Alaska Natives are dependent on alcohol.
Under federal law, Alaska Native villages have the right to banish chronic inebriates from their communities. The fathers, uncles, and grandfathers of rural Alaska too often up on the streets of Anchorage, making it Alaska’s largest Native village.
Peltola established herself as “fish, family, freedom,” role model for Native Alaskans. She regularly tips a glass at her fundraisers in the city and has a war chest that allows her to buy free booze for anyone who comes in the campaign door, while Native grandparents raising their grandchildren because of the damage done to the Native community are left to wonder about her authenticity.
