AdvertisementBut there's a big Jeffrey Epstein-related cloud hanging over Peltola's campaign, and Democrats know it. Contrast that with Mary Peltola's record, and the difference could not be more apparent. Campaign finance reports also reveal that Peltola has received significant campaign cash from Epstein associates during both her House and Senate campaigns. Melissa French-Gates is the ex-wife of Bill Gates, who appeared numerous times in the Epstein files; she gave Peltola's campaigns $9,500. The Alaska Story reports that Peltola's campaign payroll has 21 staffers, or one for every 28,000 Alaska voters, including campaign managers, communications specialists, and field organizers.