Petersburg residents urge town to condemn Senate ballot confusion scheme
An open letter argues that the local community should not celebrate national attention derived from a controversial voting tactic involving a resident's name.
By Olga Paredes ·
Petersburg, Alaska, is currently at the center of a national debate regarding the integrity of the upcoming U.S. Senate race.
In an open letter published on November 2, 2026, a local writer criticized the town's reaction to a voting strategy that places a Petersburg name on the ballot. The author argued that the town should not treat the national attention as a point of pride but instead view it as a result of a confusing tactic in a high-stakes election.
The letter describes the strategy as a "dirty trick" designed to manipulate voters and siphon support in one of the most important races in the country. The writer stated that if this race flips the U.S. Senate due to confusion caused by the Petersburg name, the impact will extend beyond the town to affect fishing policy, energy, regulations, and taxes.
The author emphasized that the town was founded on hard work and independence, and that its identity as the "Town that Fish Built" is being used for political games. The letter criticized some locals for acting as if the national spotlight is a compliment or a "joke." The writer argued that the cameras and FBI presence in the town are there because of the scheme, not because of the scenery or heritage.
The letter called on Petersburg residents to stand up against the people who tried to use the home and one of its residents to game the election. The author urged the community to refuse to be used as a prop and to stop defending those who created the confusion. The writer stated that the town deserves better than to carry the "stain" of the scandal for years to come.
The author noted that the response from some locals has been to shrug off the scrutiny and talk about how special the community is. The letter argued that this approach is not defending the hard work of generations of fishermen who built the town. Instead, the writer urged the community to find its backbone and show the world that Petersburg refuses to be used for dirty tricks.
The letter concluded by asking residents to decide whether they will defend the town and America or defend the decision to look the other way. The author expressed hope that those complicit in the game would reveal the details of the scheme. The piece ended by asserting that Petersburg deserves better than the current situation.
Source: Alaska Watchman
