Alaska’s two Republican senators have delivered sharply contrasting reactions to explosive allegations that Democratic Senate candidate Mary Peltola engaged in abusive behavior toward staff members, creating a rare public division within the state’s GOP leadership as control of the Senate hangs in the balance.

Republicans Divided on Allegations

Senator Dan Sullivan condemned the former congresswoman’s alleged conduct as a serious character issue after The New York Times published detailed accounts from multiple former aides. The staffers, who requested anonymity fearing professional retaliation, described angry profanity-laced outbursts and inappropriate language including slurs targeting gay people and individuals with intellectual disabilities. Sullivan rejected Peltola’s explanation for the behavior, calling the alleged abuse of Alaska constituents serving on her staff disturbing and unsurprising.

Senator Lisa Murkowski broke ranks with her Republican colleague, defending Peltola despite supporting Sullivan in the current race. Murkowski called portions of the Times report inflammatory and emphasized the extraordinary pressures Peltola faced during her first congressional term. The senator acknowledged the crushing weight of simultaneously serving in Congress, campaigning for re-election, and grieving the deaths of both her mother and husband in 2023.

Campaign Denies Pattern of Misconduct

The Times report detailed specific incidents including an alleged physical altercation where Peltola shoved a male employee in the chest when unable to locate a memo. Former aides also described tense debate preparation sessions where she berated staff members and reportedly required them to feed live crickets to her family’s pet chameleon. Peltola’s campaign acknowledged she struggled with grief management but denied the allegations represented a pattern of abusive behavior.

Campaign spokesperson Harry Child stated that characterizing isolated moments from the most difficult period of her life as systematic misconduct constitutes exaggeration and dishonesty. Eugene Peltola Jr., Mary’s husband, died in a 2023 Alaska plane crash. She lost her mother during the same period while serving thousands of miles from home and managing a competitive re-election campaign that she ultimately lost in 2024.

Senate Control Hangs in Balance

The allegations surface at a critical moment as Democrats view Alaska as a potential Senate pickup opportunity. Party leaders recruited Peltola, who made history winning a 2022 special election to complete Don Young’s term and defeating Sarah Palin, hoping voter dissatisfaction with President Trump’s economic policies would shift the traditionally Republican state. Peltola declined to address reporters’ questions about the matter following an Anchorage town hall. How Alaska voters respond to these allegations could determine which party controls the Senate next year.