With his wife and son by his side, Nick Begich, the grandson of the late Alaska Rep. Nick Begich, announced he is a candidate for U.S. Congress.
He made the announcement to about 50 people in a hotel conference room in Wasilla, where he had told supporters last summer that he would make his announcement, if he indeed decided to run.
Nick was introduced to the room by Wasilla Mayor Glenda Ledford. Also in attendance was his mother, his maternal grandfather, brother, and sister-in-law.
“My name is Nick Begich and today I’m announcing my candidacy to represent this great state in Congress,” he started.
He acknowledge he comes from a large political family, but “We come to service from different political stripes,” adding that he developed his conservative values due to being raised in large part by his conservative grandparents.
“It’s time for change. It’s time we take back our country. It’s time the government start working for the people. After 50 years, it’s time to make this change,” he said. “A new level of energy, and new ideas are necessary for us to deliver on the great potential on this state, our nation, and its people.”
Nick promised to bring a “generational change of energy” to the job.
“We need to stop the Biden administration’s assault on Alaska resource development. We need to make the case to America of the importance of Alaska’s oil and gas and critical minerals, all of which are necessary as we embark on a decades-long energy transition,” he said.
He reminded the audience that the environmental standards in America are the strongest in the world. He warned of the danger of placing our security in the hands of China and Russia.
Nick, a Republican and private business owner, promised to work hard to earn the public’s trust and support. He made no mention of Congressman Don Young, the Republican who he is challenging in 2022.
Young had announced in the spring that he will run for his 26th term in office. He won the seat in 1973 after Rep. Nick Begich Sr.’s plane went down on Oct. 16, 1972, and Young has been Alaska’s congressman ever since.
After the event, Nick told Must Read Alaska he was very pleased with the event, grateful to his supporters who came out for it, and it was now time to do some campaign fundraising, and scheduling events across the state.
