Pelto began working in politics by stuffing envelopes for George McGovern's 1972 presidential campaign at the age of 11.
In 1980, at the age of 18, Pelto managed field operations for Sam Gejdenson's successful election to the United States House of Representatives.
In 1984, he worked as the Connecticut campaign chair for Gary Hart's presidential campaign, helping Hart defeat eventual nominee Walter Mondale in the Connecticut primary election.
[4][5] He opened a consulting firm, called Impact Strategies Inc., when he left the state legislature.
They had a number of interviews and blog postings during the campaign, but they did not get the needed signatures to receive an official placement on the ballot.