Nick Begich Announces Another Run for Alaska’s Seat in U.S. House

Republican Nick Begich has announced his intention to challenge Democrat Rep. Mary Peltola for Alaska’s lone seat in the U.S. House. Peltola currently holds the seat, having won it in a special election in August 2022 and again in the November 2022 general election. Begich’s announcement comes 16 months ahead of the general election, making him the first candidate to officially challenge Peltola.

Begich, a millionaire businessman, finished third in Alaska’s 2022 congressional race, behind Peltola and Republican former Gov. Sarah Palin. However, Palin has not indicated whether she intends to run again. Begich made his second congressional bid through social media posts early Thursday morning, with his campaign spokesperson stating that he was not available for an interview.

Despite backing from many in the Alaska Republican Party establishment, Begich’s third-place finish in the previous election has not deterred him from running again. The state central committee of the Alaska Republican Party has stated that they will not formally endorse candidates until after the party convention in April 2024. Party chair Ann Brown praised Begich as a committed conservative with a strong background in public policy.

Begich self-financed his previous campaign through loans, with an outstanding debt of $450,000 to his campaign account as of April. Although he has never held elected office, Begich comes from a prominent family of Alaska Democrats. He is the grandson of Nick Begich Sr., who won Alaska’s congressional seat in 1972 before disappearing in a plane crash. He is also the nephew of Mark Begich, a former U.S. Senator, and Tom Begich, a former state Senator, both of whom served as Democrats.

Begich initially announced his intention to run for the U.S. House several months before the sudden death of Republican Don Young, who had held the seat for nearly five decades. Begich positioned himself as a conservative running to the right of Young and criticized Young for occasionally working across the aisle. He has expressed opposition to gun control legislation and protecting abortion access, which remains legal in Alaska.

Although Begich was born in Alaska, he was raised in Florida by his maternal grandparents. He founded FarShore, a software and information technology company worth millions, which primarily employs people in India and Croatia, but none in Alaska.

In his social media posts announcing his bid, Begich criticized the current state of affairs in Washington, highlighting lost opportunities for Alaskans, a focus on the wrong priorities, and the influence of big government lobbyists and insiders. He also took a swipe at the President, stating that he often can’t find his own way off a stage.

What potential national implications could arise from the outcome of the race for Alaska’s lone House seat

Announcement has raised eyebrows among some conservatives who view him as a moderate and question his commitment to Republican principles. Some critics have pointed to Begich’s past donations to Democratic candidates, including Peltola herself, as evidence that he may not be a true conservative.

However, Begich’s supporters argue that his business background and experience in the private sector make him well-suited to represent the interests of Alaskan businesses and promote economic growth. They also point to his support for limited government and lower taxes as evidence of his conservative credentials.

Begich’s decision to enter the race so early underscores the importance of Alaska’s lone House seat, which has been a key battleground in recent years. The state has a history of electing both Republicans and Democrats to federal office, and the outcome of this race could have national implications for the balance of power in Congress.

With the 2024 election still more than a year away, it remains to be seen which other candidates will throw their hats in the ring for Alaska’s House seat. However, Begich’s early announcement certainly sets the stage for a competitive and closely watched contest in the coming months.