ANCHORAGE, Alaska — U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola of Alaska this week unexpectedly pulled her support for a Republican-led bill that seeks to pave the way for more oil drilling in the state, opening her up to criticism from opponents who claim she's supporting a pro-Biden agenda.

It was the latest in a series of moves by the Democrat that has led to a mix of reactions from conservation and tribal groups and resource development advocates.

Peltola late last month backed the controversial Donlin Gold prospect, joining Alaska Republican Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan in a friends-of-the-court legal brief expressing support. That effort drew criticism from a tribal group in the region, and praise from industry trade groups. They called the Southwest Alaska mine one of the state's "most important and necessary economic development projects."

Also on Wednesday, Peltola introduced legislation in the House to stop the Pebble copper and gold mine in the Bristol Bay region that's home to the world's largest commercial sockeye salmon fishery. That move drew widespread applause from conservation and tribal groups, and opposition from the mine developer.

"In introducing this bill, we're moving to protect our fisheries and streams, water supply, and the deep value that these waters have had to Alaska Natives who have relied on them for thousands of years," Peltola said in a statement.

Taken together, the series of actions by Peltola underscores the complex path she's walking as a Democratic candidate in a state that's largely Republican and pro-development.

Peltola voted "present" on the Alaska's Right to Produce Act, an abstention. But she had previously supported it as the only Democratic co-sponsor.

The measure seeks to reverse decisions by the Biden administration. It would support future drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska. The bill was introduced by Rep. Pete Stauber, a Minnesota Republican.

The bill passed the House, with the support of 209 Republicans and only five Democrats. It still needs to pass the Democratic-led Senate, a long shot.

Peltola couldn't vote for it because it unexpectedly pitted energy and fisheries against each other, she said in a floor speech Wednesday.

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