An Alaska Democrat, who previously opposed legislation aimed at protecting the integrity of women’s sports, has changed her stance after a September report from The Daily Wire regarding her views on transgender issues.
“I don’t think that we should have men competing in women’s sports,” Mary Peltola stated during a debate hosted by the Alaska Chamber of Commerce on Monday, distancing herself from progressive activists on the matter.
“This causes a lot of feelings for people, this is a culture wars issue,” she elaborated. “I’m not a very good activist; I’m not a champion on one side or another of most of these culture wars because I feel like they are a complete and total waste of our time. We have real problems, we’ve got inflation, we’ve got every sector of the economy without skilled labor, skilled workforce … the list goes on and on.”
Peltola further mentioned, “No, I don’t think that we should have men competing in women’s sports, but you know, on the other hand, look at the number of female Olympian athletes who have been questioned about their femininity, they’re questioned, are they even a woman. This is just not something that is number one for me.”
She did not provide immediate clarification on which Olympian athletes she referred to or whether they identify as transgender. Her change of heart occurred just as polling indicated that her opponent, Nick Begich, was gaining traction in the race for the Alaskan congressional seat.
According to NRCC spokesman Ben Petersen, Peltola’s shift represents a desperate attempt to appeal to voters. “Democrat Mary Peltola’s shameless flip-flopping reeks of desperation,” he asserted. “After cashing checks from radical groups and voting to let biological males dominate female athletes, Peltola now reverses herself — proving she’ll say anything to cling to power as polls show her losing.”
The Daily Wire noted that Peltola’s support of transgender issues could harm her in the upcoming election, especially as Alaska takes steps to safeguard women’s spaces. In August 2023, the Alaska Board of Education voted to prevent boys who identify as girls from participating in girls’ sports. Earlier, in May 2024, the Alaska House of Representatives passed a bill banning boys from joining girls’ teams. Though the bill heads to the State Senate with uncertain prospects, Republican supporters indicated they prioritized the issue based on voter concerns.
During her initial campaign in 2022, Peltola was hesitant to address the issue of men’s participation in women’s sports. “I need to better acquaint myself with this issue, which I believe is more complicated than some make it out to be,” she commented to the Anchorage Daily News. “My starting point is that sports should be fair for all students, and we must protect the rights of all students – especially those that are already subject to significant discrimination. I look forward to learning more, and focusing on the many other pressing challenges the U.S. Congress is facing.”
In 2023, she voted against the “Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2023,” which aimed to restrict boys identifying as girls from participating in girls’ athletics in school settings. This bill, which passed in the House of Representatives, would have made it a violation of Title IX to allow men in women’s sports programs funded by federal education grants. Additionally, she opposed an amendment by Republican Rep. Nancy Mace that proposed studying the impact of male participation on female athletes.
Peltola also co-sponsored the “Equality Act,” which seeks to amend the 1964 Civil Rights Act to prohibit discrimination based on sex, gender identity, and sexual orientation. This legislation would allow men identifying as women to access female spaces such as locker rooms, prisons, and shelters.
“Must Read Alaska” previously pointed out that the Equality Act could affect facilities like Anchorage’s “Downtown Hope Center,” a faith-based shelter for women seeking refuge from harsh winter conditions.
The Daily Wire has reported that Peltola has received financial backing from the far-left Human Rights Campaign, totaling approximately $6,000, an organization that advocates for transgender medical treatments for minors. She has also accepted $5,500 from Planned Parenthood Action Fund, which is known as a major provider of transgender hormones.
