By SUZANNE DOWNING
March 17, 2026 – The National Republican Senatorial Committee released a new digital ad targeting Mary Peltola, accusing the Democrat candidate running against Sen. Dan Sullivan of remaining silent as Senate Democrats clash over federal funding that could affect the US Coast Guard.
The ad ties Peltola to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and other Democrats, arguing they are allowing Coast Guard personnel to go unpaid amid a federal funding standoff over the Department of Homeland Security.
The video emphasizes Alaska’s strategic location and the role of the United States Coast Guard in Arctic security, search and rescue, and maritime enforcement along the state’s vast coastline.
“Our adversaries are lurking off Alaska’s shores,” the ad’s narrator says. “Democrats like Mary Peltola and Chuck Schumer want to leave our Coast Guard unfunded.”
The video juxtaposes past statements from Peltola and Schumer praising the Coast Guard with news footage about the potential impacts of a government shutdown. Peltola has in the past fawned on the Coast Guard.
In one clip, Peltola says: “In Alaska, the Coast Guard is so critical because we do have more coastline.”
Schumer is shown in a separate clip stating: “We all deeply respect the work of the Coast Guard.”
The ad then contrasts those statements with a news segment warning that federal agencies such as the Coast Guard are facing pay disruptions if Congress fails to pass funding legislation.
“Tell Mary Peltola to stand up to Senate Democrats: end the shutdown and put Alaska’s Coast Guard first,” the narrator concludes.
According to the NRSC, the video also uses artificial-intelligence software to visualize comments Schumer previously made on the Senate floor. The ad includes an AI disclaimer noting the use of the technology.
“Mary Peltola has refused to stand up to the Democrats funding her campaign once again despite previously saying herself the Coast Guard is ‘critical’ to Alaska,” NRSC regional press secretary Nick Puglia said. “Peltola put Alaska last when Biden shut down ANWR and she’s doing it again now as Chuck Schumer and Senate Democrats refuse to fund Alaska Coast Guard families.”
Mary Peltola gets a hard-left endorsement that may fall flat in Alaska
