Sen. Lisa Murkowski strode down the center aisle of the House chamber on Tuesday and embraced Mary Peltola full-on, both arms wrapped tightly around in a hug of unbridled joy. 

It was the first of many hugs they would share that evening, before and after Peltola took the oath of office. On the C-SPAN video of the swearing-in, you can see Murkowski beaming in the well of the House, flanking Peltola, along with other members of Congress who had come to celebrate the arrival of their first Alaska Native colleague.

And Alaska’s other U.S. senator, Dan Sullivan? Bridled. He was a few crucial steps away. He applauded. He smiled. He hugged, all while looking distinctly uncomfortable.

The official statements of congratulations Sullivan issued were embedded with partisan shivs. His welcome message to Peltola included an offer to help her work on things that “truly matter,” like “pushing back against the Biden administration’s unprecedented shutdown of our state.”

That is the way Republicans hope to defeat Peltola in November. They need to lash her to less popular national Democrats. They want Alaskans to mentally Photoshop Joe Biden and Nancy Pelosi’s face onto every image of Peltola that comes their way.

Rival candidate Sarah Palin, who says she adores Peltola personally, went as far as saying Alaska’s only U.S. House seat “is now occupied by Joe Biden.” 

Fact check: Peltola is a separate person. So far, she’s kept to a moderate path. But she’s got a tricky challenge: Can she score some quick wins with the help of House Democratic leaders while still resisting the pull of partisanship? It’s like the popular kids are behind the gym, calling on her to ditch the cardigan. “Hop in our convertible! And try some of this leftist rhetoric. You’ll feel like a million bucks!”

Jaywalking with Rep. Peltola. I joked she was safe because D.C. law forbids hitting Congress members. She accused me of ducking behind her for safety. Seemed funny at the time. (Amanda Andrade-Rhoades/@moxie_manda)

Peltola got a big gift on her first day – a seat on the House Resources Committee. Of course she did. Democratic leaders of the House want her to win again in November. The committee chairman is already crediting her for a Magnuson Stevens bill his committee will take up next week, rewriting federal fishing law. But he says Democrats will only bend so far for her.

The best snapshot I’ve seen of how well Peltola will keep her footing against the partisan tide took place on MSNBC Monday. If you haven’t watched the interview, do. 

Watch how liberal talk-show host Joy Reid prodded her to engage in identity politics. 

Peltola said she’s proud of her Yup’ik heritage, and of her white heritage, too. 

“You talk about one group having suffered more than another group,” she told Reid. “I think that it's important in America that we're not trying to one-up each other on our level of suffering.”

Reid invited her to denounce MAGA Republicanism.

“I am very sensitive about the way in which MAGA people feel disenfranchised, forgotten, left behind,” Peltola said. “I think so many different segments of our population feel that way.”

It’s not the kind of message hosts like Reid are known for amplifying. It surely disappointed more radical progressives. But gently, politely, without any discernible bristle, Peltola pushed back.

The House has only seven more in-session days before Election Day. They break at the end of September to go home and campaign. And Peltola will be in Alaska campaigning over the weekends, too.

She has no time for big legislative feats. But how she wears her new title will make an impression on voters. She’s the incumbent now. She’s got momentum. It seems like the November election is hers to lose.

I’m working from D.C. these days, watching her in action. I can tell you Peltola has caused a bit of a stir in the Capitol halls. Other reporters trade information about where she is. A New York Times reporter said she’s still trying to get an interview. Peltola’s spokesman says they’re prioritizing Alaska requests. No complaints here.

Drop me a line. I value your insights and welcome your questions.

- Liz Ruskin

lruskin@alaskapublic.org

Follow me on twitter: @lruskin

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Peltola lands a spot on House Resources. Next up: Magnuson-Stevens fisheries bill.

The Resources Committee considers issues of huge importance to Alaska: Oil development. Oceans and fisheries. Federal land management. Native Affairs.

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Peltola’s D.C. hires include Young’s former chief of staff

Alex Ortiz, the late Rep. Don Young's former chief of staff, is moving across the political aisle in Peltola's first wave of staff hires.

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Tomorrow, she becomes Alaska’s Congresswoman. Today, she has a lot to do.

Peltola's agenda was packed when she arrived in Washington, D.C., earlier this week.

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