In a heavy raincoat in orange, Congresswoman Mary Peltola mingled with other guests at the decks of Tenacious the charter boat in Seward. Before the boat even went out of Seward harbor Seward port, Seward’s captain warned of large swells.
“Is everyone using Dramamine?” Peltola asked the guests, many who had spent thousands of dollars to attend. “I will take it today.”
Peltola who is who is a Democrat follows in the steps of her Republican predecessor, Don Young, on numerous policy issues. And this year, she even took over as the host of her predecessor’s biggest charity event.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski has Waterfall her most prestigious fishing event in the Southeast which raises money for cancer treatment. Senator Ted Stevens died in the late 1990s. Ted Stevens had the Kenai Classic, supporting the river. Now Peltola will be taking on his own Lu Young Children’s Fund Fishing Invitational which is a three-day fishing event.
The charity was named after Don Young’s wife, who was his first. In the year he passed away the event was cancelled. The event was resurrected this year with a brand new variation: “Fish with Mary.”
“I was determined to keep running,” Peltola said. “I knew Lu Young. I have lots of admiration and respect of Lu Young. It’s also a noble cause.”
However, supporting the cause is just one reason to be involved.
These fundraisers for charity unite lobbyists, their clients, and other people who are well-connected with members of Congress typically for long periods of time. They are able to share a laugh within the confines of a golf cart, or a fishing boat.
It could be a sign of insiders purchasing access and gaining favor with those who can assist them. However, Peltola claims that’s not what she observes.
“What I’ve found is that when you have professional lobbyists tend to not hammer you with messages such as this, because they want to make you laugh,” she said. “And the moment they’re in your office you’ll be sharing that experience.”
The participants may be on opposing side of a debate However, the time spent together will allow for the realization of common interests as well as an opportunity to view enemies as people, not as enemies.
The congressman Jared Huffman, a progressive Democrat from California attended the Seward event in the past, at the request from Don Young. Both of them often disagreed on the House Resources Committee over environmental issues.
“I considered it an ideal idea to accept the invitation and then attend the fishing tournament. He liked it,” Huffman said. “And it certainly played a role in the great relationship we enjoyed.”
That’s the story of how Huffman was who hails from the districts that is the bluest in California was invited to spend the day on a vessel with Young as well as Karl Rove, Republican former White House policy advisor.
It was a strange pair, Huffman said, but they came to a common understanding.
“Karl evidently is, you know in the wrong camp of my political views. However, he’s also an historian, and is extremely well-versed in Harry Truman,” Huffman stated.
It was Young’s final fishing event. The year before, Huffman said he came to commemorate his friendship with Young as well as to assist his new Democratic acquaintance, Mary Peltola. He was a guest at a fundraising event for her along with others Democrats in Anchorage before heading to Seward.
Huffman claimed that his campaign paid for his participation however, House Ethics Rules allow U.S. House members to receive free tickets as well as travel expenses to charity events like gala dinners or golf tournaments. The presence of legislators can boost ticket sales.
“Definitely getting members of Congress be mentioned as major draw for people to visit them, chat with them, and even catch fish,” added Alex Ortiz the chief of staff for Young, later Peltola’s, and is now an lobbyist.
He was a part of the organizing team for the tournament this year and his D.C.-based firm was the sponsor for both the tournament and dinner held at the Seward restaurant. A couple of clients took part as representatives of telecom companies Quintillion in addition to Graphite One, which hopes to create an underground mine in Seward Peninsula. Seward Peninsula.
Although politicians could be the attraction, Ortiz says the tournament was never about politics or business.
“Well sure, people like to discuss all things (but) there isn’t an unifying goal,” he said.
There was no sign that Republican lawmakers showed up to Fish together with Mary. Ortiz hopes that there will be more mixture next time.
Mac McHale, president of the company’s telecom subsidiary Quintillion Mac McHale, president of Quintillion, stated that the main goal is to aid Alaska youngsters in desperate need but getting together with representatives of Congress isn’t the only thing that matters.
“If you are able to, you know, build a relationship with them while also doing something good for the community, that’s … double benefit,” McHale said.
Over the last 10 years in the last decade, over the past decade, Lu Young Children’s Fund has made up to $50,000 through the annual tournament, which is usually the only source of income. In some years, it has cost more than it generated.
The charity awards an average of $4,000 in grants over the course of a year. Typically, the grants go for Camp Fire Alaska, sometimes to Covenant House and Hope Community Resources.
The fund had a savings of $135,000 at the end of 2021, which is the most recent year for which public records are publicly available.
Alongside all the other reasons for mingling at the charity event is fishing. This can be quite a mix. On the first day of 2023 tournament, everyone had their fill of salmon and Halibut. The following day, the rough waves tossed the boats while the captains returned back to harbor before they could even wet the line.
