Congressman Don Young filed last April to run for his 26th term in Congress. But some have asked if he is really running or if he is a lion in winter.
On Nov. 15, 2021, he let Alaskans know Don Young is in it to win it.
Young announced his campaign team, with Art Hackney, vice president of Axiom Strategies, in charge as lead strategist, and Matt Shuckerow as consultant and advisor. Curtis Thayer is treasurer of the campaign, and Sen. Josh Revak is the campaign chair. It’s a team that has a lot of election wins in its sails.
Young is the Republican Party’s longest-serving member of the House of Representatives and of Congress in history, having represented Alaska for 25 terms. He has never lost an election since 1973.
He is Dean of the House, the longest-serving current member.
Young is being challenged by four other Republicans: Gregg Brelsford, Randy Purham, Shannon Scott Evans, and Nick Begich III.
“A lot has been said about my intentions to seek reelection, but let me be clear: I’m running to continue serving the Alaskan people in Congress and I’m running hard,” Young said. “I’m excited to announce key members of my 2022 campaign team, including my friend and fellow Army tanker Senator Josh Revak as my Campaign Chair. With so much on the line in 2022, including the likelihood we retake the House with a robust Republican majority, I’m running to ensure Alaska has a strong and experienced voice to effectively challenge the Biden administration’s many failed policies, including their constant attacks on our economy and the Alaska energy sector. I look forward to once again working with Alaskans from across the state to build a strong and successful campaign.”
Revak, a Purple Heart recipient, previously served as military and legislative affairs liaison for both Congressman Young and Sen. Dan Sullivan before being elected to the Alaska State Legislature.
“The fire in Don Young’s belly remains as strong as ever and he’s focused on running another hard-fought campaign to represent Alaska in the U.S. House of Representatives,” Revak said. “Congressman Young has time and again proven that he is an effective and tireless voice for Alaska; someone willing to speak loudly and carry a big stick when it comes to advancing our priorities and pushing back against Nancy Pelosi and Joe Biden’s radical anti-Alaska agenda.”
Hackney is a longtime political consultant and now vice president for Axiom Strategies (the strategy firm behind Virginia Governor-elect Glenn Youngkin recent campaign victory). Hackney has helped advise the Young campaign in 21 previous election cycles. Hackney most recently served a senior strategist and consultant on the winning Bronson for Mayor campaign in 2021.
“Don Young is a no frills, straight shooting advocate for Alaska. He’s never backed down from a challenge, especially when it comes to battling it out over Nancy Pelosi and AOC’s misguided policies,” Hackney said. “Don is the type of leader that wins the fights Alaska can’t afford to lose. We’re confident we’ll have the resources and grassroots support to build an energized campaign in 2022.”
Longtime political aide Matt Shuckerow has experience as a Young alumnus, having served as press secretary for Young in the early part of his career. He also worked for Gov. Mike Dunleavy, Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson, and recently led U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan’s 2020 reelection bid as campaign manager. Shuckerow has a new political communications firm, Fathom Strategic, based in Anchorage.
“I’m honored to have worked with our congressional delegation over these many years to advance Alaska’s interests,” Shuckerow said. “Having been on the ground firsthand, there’s no question Don Young is the type of leader Alaska needs in Congress. No amount of political ambition can replace Don Young’s experienYounce. He gets it done, he knows the path of least resistance for Alaska priorities, and he works closely with the Governor, the Legislature, and communities and mayors across the state to ensure doors always open for Alaska.”
Young is consistently ranked as one of the most effective lawmakers in Congress by the nonpartisan Center for Effective Lawmaking.
No Democrats have filed to challenge Young. Alyse Galvin ran against him with the backing of the Democratic Party during the last two election cycles, but during her second run, she suffered a greater loss than her first run, when her name recognition was a barrier. Once Alaskans got to know her, fewer of them voted for her in 2020, and Young won 54.5 to 45.3 percent.
