Tragedy strikes as husband of Alaska’s Rep. Mary Peltola passes away in plane crash

The beloved husband of Democratic Representative Mary Peltola, met a tragic end on Wednesday following a plane crash in their home state of Alaska. The heartbreaking news was confirmed by her office, which is now grappling with the loss of a cherished family member.

Mr. Peltola, affectionately known as ‘Buzzy’ to those who held him dear, lost his life earlier in the day due to a plane accident in Alaska, as conveyed by Anton McParland, Chief of Staff for Representative Peltola. McParland shared fond memories of Mr. Peltola, describing him as a remarkable individual who excelled at everything he undertook.

He was renowned for his delightful sense of humor that could brighten even the darkest moments, and he was particularly known as the family’s culinary expert. Above all, Eugene Peltola Jr. was a man deeply committed to his family, including his parents, children, siblings, extended family, and an extensive circle of friends. His love and adoration for Representative Mary Peltola were evident to all who knew them.

At this difficult time, Representative Peltola is making her way back home to be with her family, and the office has requested that their privacy be respected during this period of mourning.

Details surrounding the plane crash have not been disclosed by Peltola’s office, but the National Transportation Safety Board has initiated an investigation into the incident. The crash involved a single-engine Piper PA 18-150 Super Cub and occurred near St. Mary’s, a small town in western Alaska. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the crash resulted in a single fatality.

Representative Mary Peltola, a Democrat, made headlines last year when she won a special election, defeating former Rep. Sarah Palin. She holds the distinction of being Alaska’s sole representative in the House and is also the first Alaska Native to serve in Congress. Just days before the tragic accident, she spoke at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage during President Biden’s visit, commemorating 22 years since the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Alaska has witnessed its fair share of plane tragedies involving prominent politicians. Notably, former Senator Ted Stevens lost his life in a single-engine plane crash in Alaska in 2010, having previously survived a crash in 1978. The state’s at-large congressional seat was vacated last year when Rep.

Don Young, then the oldest member of Congress, passed away from natural causes on a plane en route to Seattle while returning to Alaska. Young had originally won the seat after the state’s then-representative disappeared and was presumed dead in a plane crash, marking a history of aviation-related tragedies in Alaska’s political landscape.