Nick Begich Would Even Alienate Alaska’s Longtime Republican Vanguard By Prioritizing Himself Over Others

2022: Begich Faced Criticism From Alaska Republicans For Challenging Longtime Incumbent And Former Mentor Don Young

Begich Served As A Chairman For The 2020 Young Campaign. “This Begich, unlike his grandfather, is a Republican. He’s the nephew of state Sen. Tom Begich and former U.S. Sen. Mark Begich, both Democrats. He was also a chairman of Congressman Young’s campaign in 2020. Begich’s campaign manager for his U.S. House run is Truman Reed, who was Young’s campaign manager in 2020 and worked in his congressional office. Begich said he hasn’t discussed with Young the idea that the congressman would step aside and consider Begich a good successor. He calls it a possibility.” [Alaska Public Media, 10/22/21]

2021: Begich Announced A Bid For Congress, Seeking To Unseat Don Young, The Longest-Serving Republican In The House. “Nicholas Begich III on Thursday kicked off his campaign for Alaska’s lone seat in the U.S. House against the longest-serving Republican in that chamber, saying Alaska needs new energy…”This race is not about Don Young,” Begich told The Associated Press in an interview after the announcement. “This is about the state of Alaska, and the state of Alaska needs new energy. The state of Alaska needs new ideas, and we’ve got to have a representative that can be there, that is prepared to show up for the job and advance those new ideas on behalf of the people of this great state,” he said. [Anchorage Daily News, 10/28/21]

2022: Young Characterized Begich As “A Person I Don’t Want To Serve Me In Congress,” In A Statement Shared By A Former Staffer. “But Zack Brown, a former communications director for Young, posted a Twitter message Thursday of what he said was a previously unreleased comment by Young three weeks before his death to a group of Alaska Republicans. ‘I hired that young man to show him the ropes, run for the job, don’t run against me…it’s not loyalty, nor is it honest…That’s a person I don’t want to serve me in Congress,’ Young said. Some of Young’s former staff, in interview with other media, noted Begich spent about a year working for Young, supposedly to better understand the legislative process, before launching his campaign against the incumbent in October of 2021. [Juneau Empire, 10/27/22]

• 2022: Don Young Slammed Begich For Running Against Him, Saying He Was Not Loyal Or Honest. “‘I hired that young man [Begich] to show him the ropes, run for the job, don’t run against me […] it’s not loyalty, nor is it honest […] That’s a person I don’t want to serve me in Congress,’ Young said.” [Juneau Empire, 10/27/22]

2022: Young Died At 88 Leaving, His Congressional Seat Open. “Alaska Rep. Don Young, who was the longest-serving Republican in the history of the U.S. House, has died. He was 88. His office announced Young’s death in a statement Friday night. ‘It’s with heavy hearts and deep sadness that we announce Congressman Don Young (R-AK), the Dean of the House and revered champion for Alaska, passed away today while traveling home to Alaska to be with the state and people that he loved. His beloved wife Anne was by his side,’ said the statement from Young’s congressional office.” [AP, 3/19/22]

2022: Anne Young Endorsed State Senator Josh Revak To Replace Her Late Husband, Don Young. “U.S. House candidate Josh Revak has secured an emotionally powerful endorsement from Anne Garland Young, wife of the late Congressman Don Young. Revak, a Republican state senator, is the successor her husband wanted, she said.” [KTOO, 4/13/22]

• 2022: Anne Young Took “Clear Aim” At Begich In Her Endorsement Of Revack, Who She Said Would Not “Ever Resort To Desperate, Mean, Hostile Tactics Just To Try To Claim A Win.” “She also takes clear aim at Begich, without using his name. She says that compared to other apparent front-runners, Revak is late to the campaign. ‘He will not, though, like others before him, ever resort to desperate, mean, hostile tactics just to try to claim a win,’ she says. People loyal to Young have it out for Begich. He chaired Young’s 2020 campaign, but then turned

on him. Starting last year, he attacked Young from the right. Begich claimed the 88-year-old was too old and lacked fiscal discipline. He also went after Young’s office policy of requiring that staffers be vaccinated against COVID-19.” [KTOO, 4/13/22]

2022: Former Young Aides Described Begich As “Disloyal And Deceitful To Their Former Boss.” “Staffers who worked for Don Young are openly airing grievances against Nick Begich III, their former colleague who’s now running for the late Alaska Republican congressman’s seat…Former Young aides accuse Begich, 45, a Republican businessman and a former ally who co-chaired Young’s 2020 reelection campaign, of being disloyal and deceitful to their former boss, who died earlier this year at age 88.” [E&E News, 10/28/22]

• Eleven Of Don Young’s Former Staffers Penned An Op-Ed Endorsing Mary Peltola. “We, the undersigned former staff and friends of Congressman Don Young, write to offer our full endorsement of Mary Peltola in her reelection campaign. We know she is the right choice to advance the interests of all Alaskans in the U.S. House of Representatives. Her commitment to running a positive race, bipartisan approach to public service, and legislative priorities that put Alaska at the forefront underpin the basis of our endorsement… Jack Ferguson, Zack Brown, Pamela Day, Mike”Keawe” Anderson, Nicole Desrochers, Linda Harrigan, Holly Croft, Meredith Kenny, Christine Williams, Gail Schubert and Martha Newell-Kinsman are former staff members and friends of Don Young.” [The Anchorage Daily News, 10/24/22]
• Former Young Staffer Zack Brown Alleged “Begich Was Planning On Primarying Young All Along” When He Took An Internship In His Congressional Office. “Begich ’asked Don Young to join our office & shadow the Dean to learn how Congress works,” Brown wrote. “Begich was planning on primarying Young all along. He used DY & staff to secure inside info.’ Some former Young aides don’t think Begich was clear about his intentions to primary Young while he was still in office. A second former Young staffer said that while Begich had made it known that he was interested in running for Congress someday, people in Young’s orbit weren’t expecting him to challenge the longest-serving Republican in Congress. ‘He was not entirely secretive about his future ambitions. But it was never ’I’m going to run against Don Young in the next election,’ it was ‘one day I would like to serve in this role,’ said that former Young staffer, who was also granted anonymity to protect personal and professional relationships. ‘The problem with Nick Begich is that he’s kind of proven to be a say-anything-to-get-elected kind of guy.’” [E&E News, 10/28/22]

Begich Refused To Make An Endorsement In The Hotly Contested 2022 Alaska Senate Race, Suggesting He Would Not Support Senator Lisa Murkowski

Begich Refused To Make An Endorsement In The Hotly Contested 2022 Alaska Senate Race, Suggesting He Would Not Support Senator Lisa Murkowski. “Yeah. I’m not endorsing anyone right now but here’s what I will tell you. I will not be endorsing Lisa.” [YouTube, Michael Dukes Show, 4/28/24]

In 2024, Begich Claimed To Have Supported Trump “Since 2016,” Despite Criticizing Trump’s Personality And Repeatedly Lauding Former Trump Opponent Vivek Ramaswamy

June 2024: Begich Claimed To Have Supported Trump “Since 2016.” “Do you support Trump’s presidential campaign? BEGICH: Yes. I endorsed Trump prior to the Iowa Caucus and have supported him since 2016. I attended Trump’s Presidential inauguration when he was first sworn into office in 2017 and have personally donated to him even as recently as a few weeks ago. I believe Donald Trump has the strength necessary to push back against the administrative state and make sure that the people of America are prioritized. I am proud to be America First and believe putting the people of our nation and our state at the top of the list should be a prerequisite for anyone seeking to represent the people of Alaska in the Congress.” [Alaska Watchman, 6/12/24]

2023: Begich Claimed Trump’s Personality “May Create Heartburn For Some.” Begich: In politics, personalities often overshadow policies — but it’s the policies that truly matter. While former President Donald Trump’s approach may create heartburn for some, it’s his policy record concerning Alaska families, jobs and resources that firmly cements him as the clear choice for Alaska. As an Alaskan, I recognize the paramount importance of aligning with leaders whose policies prioritize our state’s prosperity and development.” [Anchorage Daily News, 12/5/23]

December 2023: Vivek Ramaswamy Announced His 2024 Presidential Campaign. “Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy announced on Tuesday that he’s running for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.” [CNN, 2/21/23]

• January 2024: Ramaswamy Suspended His Presidential Campaign. “Biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy suspended his bid for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination on Monday and endorsed former President Donald Trump after finishing a distant fourth in Iowa’s leadoff caucuses.” [Associated Press, 1/16/24]

Begich Touted An Endorsement From Ramaswamy On His Campaign Website. Begich listed Vivek Ramaswamy as one of his National Endorsements on his campaign website. [Alaskans For Nick Begich, Accessed 9/10/24]

Begich Said He “Really Loved” How Ramaswamy Was “Extraordinarily Articulate” And “Unapologetic.” BEGICH: “What I really love about Vivek’s message is A) he’s extraordinarily articulate b) He’s unapologetic in his delivery of his message and his message is focused on America first. In DC we’re told we need to be giving all this aid to other nations.” [YouTube, Must Read Alaska, 12:27-37, 6/3/24]

Begich Said That He Has “Tremendous Amount Of Respect For Vivek.” BEGICH: “That was huge. I have a tremendous amount of respect for Vivek. He is extraordinarily articulate.” [YouTube, Michael Dukes Show, 21:50- 2/19/24]

Ramaswamy Said That Begich Signed His “American Truth Pledge.” [Twitter, @NickforAlaska, 2/14/24]

Image: see original report, p. 68

[Twitter, @NickforAlaska, 2/14/24]

Begich Posted A Picture With Ramaswamy, Claiming Ramaswamy “Gets It” And He Was Proud To Have His Support. “America First is far more than a slogan - it encapsulates a set of policies that improve the lives of every American, prioritize the needs of Americans, and ensure the American Dream remains vibrant and alive. @VivekGRamaswamy gets it, and I’m proud to have his support! [Twitter, @NickforAlaska, 6/17/24]

Image: see original report, p. 68

[Twitter, @NickforAlaska, 6/17/24]

Begich Praised Ramaswamy For “Calling” That Biden Would Drop Out. “Vivek called it.” [Twitter, @NickforAlaska, 7/21/24]

Image: see original report, p. 69

[Twitter, @NickforAlaska, 7/21/24]

June 2024: Begich Tweeted About Ramaswamy Three Times In Three Days. [Twitter, @NickforAlaska, 6/27/24; 6/28/24; 6/29/24]

Image: see original report, p. 69

Image: see original report, p. 70

[Twitter, @NickforAlaska, 6/27/24; 6/28/24; 6/29/24]

In 2022 And 2024, Trump Initially Endorsed Primary Opponents Over Begich, Whom He Blamed For Splitting The Republican Vote In 2022

2022: Trump Endorsed Palin Over Begich. “Two years ago, Trump endorsed former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and not Begich for Alaska’s sole seat in the House.” [Alaska Public Media, 9/18/24]

2024: Trump Endorsed Begich’s Primary Opponent, Nancy Dahlstrom, And Blamed Begich For Splitting The Republican Vote And Losing In The Last Election. “Nancy Dahlstrom will be a tremendous Congresswoman for the Great People of Alaska, just as she was as your Lieutenant Governor. Nancy is a proven fighter! In Congress, she will work to Secure the Border, Create Jobs, Lower Taxes, Promote American Energy Independence, Support our Incredible Military and Police Officers, and Defend our always under siege Second Amendment. Her opponent, Nick Begich, has Democrat tendencies but, most importantly, he refused to get out of this Race last time, which caused the Republicans to lose this important seat to Mary Peltola, someone who is very unpopular, allowed the Democrats to terminate ANWR (something which every Republican President since Ronald Reagan wanted, but only I got!), and is doing a terrible job for Alaska.” [Truth Social, @realDonaldTrump, 6/17/24]

• 2024: Trump Only Endorsed Begich After Dahlstrom Dropped Out Of The Race. “Republican U.S. House candidate Nick Begich III has won the endorsement of former President Donald Trump. Trump initially supported Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom for the seat, but she finished behind Begich in the primary and dropped out of the race.” [Alaska Public Media, 9/18/24]

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