John, this email is longer than normal, but it’s personal.

I’ll be honest with you: I was never “supposed” to be a member of Congress.

When I ran in 2022 to succeed my friend, the late Congressman Don Young, I was one of 48 candidates for the open Congressional seat. 48! But I defied the odds and advanced to the runoff.

Political “experts” said I had no real chance at winning. In fact, here were the predictions:

I was counted out by pundits in the lower 48, but here’s why that didn’t matter: Because every day, Alaskans from every region of the state refused to count me out and gave me a chance to be heard.

I went on to win the special election and make history as the first Alaska Native to ever serve in Congress. And flash forward to now, I’m running for reelection and putting in the work each day so I can win once again in November.

But this time is different. Here’s why: The far-right has had over two years to strategize and come up with a plan to defeat me. They’ve been making early investments in attack ads. The NRCC and Mike Johnson’s super PAC are investing $7 million in attack ads alone to unseat me. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg, John.

My team and I are putting in the work to reach Alaskans regardless of where they live and regardless of how they can be reached to share my accomplishments and my vision for our future. I know that if we can reach every voter, I’ll be able to win once again this November.

But without the support of grassroots donors like you, I risk falling short in both fundraising and votes.

So please, John, will you help me defy the odds once again and split $10 between Fight for Progress and I to help me reach Alaskans, whether by road or plane, and whether it’s in person or over the phone? >>

Grateful.

-- Mary Peltola