Rep. Bruce Westerman, who is chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, announced Wednesday his endorsement of Alaska’s Nick Begich for Congress.
“It is my honor to endorse Nick Begich for Congress. Nick put Alaskans first, and he will fight for Alaska’s right to produce energy, manage their resources and have good paying jobs. Nick knows Alaska has what America needs. He will be a tireless advocate for all Alaskans and I look forward to serving with Nick in the next Congress,” Westerman said.
Rep. Mary Peltola, Alaska’s Democrat currently serving in Congress, serves on Westerman’s committee, but has not been effective for Alaska. After Tuesday’s announcement from the Biden-Harris Administration of another 28 million acres of land being locked up in Alaska, Peltola said nothing either for or against the move, which kills the Ambler Road, oil and gas in the Arctic and Beaufort Seas, and other natural resource uses. If she opposed it, she was unable to stop the lock up.
Westerman’s endorsement joins those of House Speaker Mike Johnson, Rep. Byron Donalds, Rep. Elise Stefanik, Rep. Tom Emmer, and Rep. Scott Perry, in addition to Sen. Mike Lee of Utah and the Alaska Republican Party’s chair.
Westerman is a native of Hot Springs, Ark., now serving his fifth term in Congress.
