First Lady Jill Biden is slated to make her first visit to Bethel this Wednesday, joined by Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola. Sources say Republican Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan will not be at the event, raising questions about the Biden Administration’s deploying of the First Lady as an election cycle surrogate for the president. The invitation, sources say, came too late for the senators to respond.
The First Lady’s visit is advertised as showcasing the significant investments made by the Biden Administration in expanding broadband access in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. The absence of Alaska’s senators leaves room for skepticism. Murkowski has been friendly and helpful to the Biden Administration and has been a member of the Senate since 2002, serving with Biden for decades in D.C., while Peltola has served for less than a year. She also endorsed Rep. Peltola for the House during last year’s election.
The event comes at a time that as communities along the upper Yukon River are grappling with flooding, and Kuskokwim communities remain on high alert for potential flooding. Flood warnings are in effect for Fort Yukon, Stevens Village, and Crooked Creek. Flood watches are in effect for Beaver and Aniak. A flood advisory is in effect for Gulkana.
The trip also comes just five days after the death of Rep. Peltola’s mother.
Rep. Peltola expressed her enthusiasm for the visit: “I’m proud we have a First Lady who is a real advocate for education and health care access. These are issues that affect every Alaskan and every American.” She also expressed her anticipation for the visit to shed light on the unique challenges faced by rural Alaskan communities.
With President Biden’s reelection campaign in its nascent stages, his administration appears to be in full gear to trumpet his legislative accomplishments. The White House is mobilizing cabinet members and advisers across the nation during Infrastructure Week to push their message, and it’s unlikely that the president himself will be strong enough to visit Alaska during the campaign, when it gets into full swing next year.
