The freshmen class of the United States Congress gathered on the steps of the U.S. Capitol on Friday for the official photo, and Alaska’s Congressman-elect Nick Begich was present, as seen in the photo above, where he is second from the left on the top row of the main group (red tie).
Republicans have maintained firm control of the House, with 220 GOP members and 213 Democrats. Republicans gained one seat, while Democrats lost a seat. Two California seats have not yet been called, along with one race in Iowa and one in Ohio.
The newly elected members of Congress have been in Washington, D.C. this week for orientation. Although Alaska’s race has not been officially called, all but a few remaining Democrats understand that Begich has won the seat. Rep. Mary Peltola has not conceded the race, however.
The ranked-choice algorithm won’t be run by the Division of Elections on the Alaska race until Nov. 20, but those who have worked analyzed the raw data have concluded that only massive cheating would change the course of history that will send Begich to Congress, like his grandfather before him. Nick Begich I served Alaska until perishing in a plane crash over Prince William Sound on Oct. 18, 1972.
Swearing in for members of Congress is Jan. 3 in Washington, D.C.