The sole representative of Alaska within the U.S. House, Mary Peltola is returning to Washington D.C. after a break to mourn the passing of her husband.
Eugene “Buzzy” Peltola Jr. died in a plane crash in Western Alaska in mid-September.
Congresswoman Peltola was back in the House looking to choose an incoming Speaker. while she cast her ballot on Tuesday at the House, each side of the aisle gathered to applaud her standing.
Peltola voted in favor of her fellow Democrat, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries from New York, who received the most votes for House Speaker on Tuesday but not enough to be a winner.
Jeffries has expressed his her support for an alliance of bipartisans within the U.S. House, not as the coalitions seen in Alaska Legislature in recent years.
“Bipartisanship relies on trust and understanding. Let’s pick both and choose a Speaker who is willing to work with all,” Peltola said in an announcement via social networks. “Republicans and Democrats have done the same thing in AK. It’s possible to do this with DC.”
Peltola admitted that the last month was difficult, but she also acknowledged the help from her colleagues.
