“I think she can really relate to coming from a small town and knowing the challenges that we all face out here,' said Bethany Kaiser, a paralegal from Bethel. She said she cried when she learned Mary Peltola won Alaska's special U.S. House race.
-Mary Peltola hugs a supporter at a potluck at the Yupiit Piciryarait Cultural Center on Sept. 9, days before she is to be sworn into Congress.
Dishes, pot-luck style, filled a long table. In front of it, the Bethel Russian Orthodox choir sang. Fr. Michael Trefon blessed the food before turning to Peltola and blessing her. She wiped away tears as the choir switched into a Yup’ik rendition of “God Grant You Many Years.” “I know and believe wholeheartedly that she’s going to work hard and do her best to represent our state,” Melanie said.
“I think she really can relate to, not just Bethel, but rural Alaska in general,” Kaiser said. “I think she can really relate to coming from a small town and knowing the challenges that we all face out here.”“Always potholes,” Polky said. “But nobody can do anything about it because they always come back.”Bertha Nagasiak hopes that Peltola being in Congress will bring better family and homeless services to Bethel.
Bob Herron served in the state Legislature after Peltola and is a family friend. He thinks the same characteristics that got Peltola elected this time will work again in November, and that they mean that she will be be an effective lawmaker.
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