Alaska lawmaker Peltola releases statement after husband’s death

Rep. Mary Peltola’s (D-Alaska) office released a statement Thursday following news of her husband’s death in a tragic plane crash Wednesday. 

“We are truly grateful for the kindness that Mary and her family have received since Buzzy’s passing yesterday,” Peltola’s chief of staff, Anton McParland, wrote in the statement Thursday. 

McParland highlighted the generosity of Alaska Sens. Lisa Murkowski’s (R) and Dan Sullivan’s (R) staffs, who’ve “called to share comfort and advice based upon their years of service working for Alaskans in Congress.” Murkowski and Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy both made their staff available to help, McParland said, and Sullivan’s chief of staff was on the phone in the early morning offering support.

“These moments really stood out amidst a difficult time, reminding us of the community bonds that make Alaska so special. We are thankful to them and to everyone who continues to reach out with sympathy and stories about Buzzy,” the statement read. 

McParland said the office has been briefed by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which is investigating the crash “as they do with every crash.”

“The NTSB, who work tirelessly to keep our skies safe, briefed us on the process yesterday. We defer all related questions to their team. Out of respect for the family’s privacy, our office will not be commenting any further on the investigation at this time,” McParland said. 

Peltola is home in Alaska with her family, and McParland provided an address to send condolence notes. 

In the statement Thursday, McParland said Alaskans have felt taken the news of Peltola’s husband’s death personally.

“Alaska is a tight-knit state that relies on planes for basic travel, and so many Alaskans have felt the impact of an accident like this. That doesn’t make it any less devastating, but it does mean we know how to support one another,” McParland wrote in the statement. “To everyone who has reached out, from Alaska to D.C. and everywhere in between, thank you. You have made a dark time just a little lighter.”

Peltola was first elected to Congress in 2022, replacing Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska) who died in office after serving 49 years, becoming the longest-serving Republican. Peltola, a Democrat, ran a campaign focused on state-related issues, rather than national partisan causes. She was endorsed by some former members of Young’s staff and by Murkowski.