A series of former employees described a toxic and unstable work environment within the congressional office and political operation of Alaska's Democratic Senate hopeful. Mary Peltola is alleged to have engaged in profane outbursts and physical aggression, including one incident in which she shoved an aide, according to a New York Times report. Four former staff members stated they personally heard Peltola use the word "faggot" over several years, sometimes in reference to her own staff.

Peltola's campaign has denied the homophobic slur allegations, though text messages viewed by the report show her using the word "retarded." In one exchange from this year, she wrote "Fuck that retard" about a fisheries executive who posted a selfie with her, creating a political issue due to her opposition to commercial trawling. Democrats hope Peltola can flip a Republican seat in the Alaska Senate race.