Oppose Nomination of Aaron C. Peterson to Alaska District Court

I urge you to vote against the nomination of Aaron C. Peterson for the federal bench in Alaska. At 44 years old, Mr. Peterson's qualifications for this lifetime appointment are alarmingly thin and his views appear out of step with the needs of our state. Mr. Peterson's writing experience, crucial for a federal judge, is woefully inadequate. He has provided only 11 state press releases and a single letter to the editor from 2005 as examples of his work. Notably absent are any substantial legal writings such as books, articles, or law review commentaries that would demonstrate his capacity for judicial reasoning. The 2005 letter raises serious concerns about Mr. Peterson's judgment on public health issues. In it, he denies the existence of an obesity epidemic in the United States, a stance that contradicts overwhelming scientific evidence. This outdated and ill-informed view suggests a troubling disregard for facts and expert consensus. Mr. Peterson's recent joining of the Federalist Society, coupled with his focus on cases involving state interests in natural resources since 2019, indicates a potential bias that may not serve the diverse needs of all Alaskans. The federal bench requires impartiality and a broad understanding of complex issues affecting our communities. The secretive nature of Senator Sullivan's selection process, which excluded Senator Lisa Murkowski, further undermines confidence in this nomination. A lifetime appointment to the federal bench should be the result of a thorough, bipartisan vetting process, not a hasty political maneuver. I ask you to prioritize the integrity of our judicial system and the long-term interests of Alaska. Vote no on Aaron C. Peterson's nomination and demand a more qualified, experienced candidate who can demonstrate a track record of impartial, fact-based judgment. Our state deserves a federal judge with a proven ability to interpret the law fairly and protect the rights of all Alaskans.