Tom Begich

Thomas Scott Begich (born October 31, 1960) is an American politician and a Democratic member of the Alaska Senate. He has represented District J since January 2017.[1][2]

Tom Begich
Tom Begich speaking on the floor of the Senate chamber in the Alaska State Capitol in May 2019
Minority Leader of the Alaska Senate
Assumed office
January 15, 2019
Preceded byBerta Gardner
Member of the Alaska Senate
from the J district
Assumed office
January 17, 2017
Preceded byJohnny Ellis
Personal details
Born
Thomas Scott Begich

(1960-10-31) October 31, 1960
Anchorage, Alaska, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)Sarah Sledge
RelativesNick Begich (father)
Mark Begich (brother)
EducationBard College (BA)

Personal

Tom's father was Nick Begich, an Alaska state senator from 1960 until 1970, when he beat future U.S Senator and Alaska Governor Frank Murkowski for Alaska's at-large congressional district. Nick disappeared as he was campaigning for re-election on October 17, 1972, while on a small plane flight in Alaska along with U.S. House Majority Leader Hale Boggs. He won his election over Republican Don Young, posthumously, then was declared dead on December 29, 1972.[3] In 1984 and 1986, Nick's widow, Margaret "Pegge," ran against Nick's successor, Don Young, for the seat her husband had formerly held. Tom was a delegate to the 2004 Democratic National Convention. His brother, Mark Begich, served on the Anchorage Assembly from 1988 to 1998 and was the mayor of Anchorage from 2003 to 2009. Mark won the 2008 U.S. Senate general election, defeating 40-year incumbent Republican Ted Stevens, but lost re-election in 2014. Their brother, Nick Jr., is an author and conspiracy theorist. Tom's uncle, Joseph Begich, served 18 years in the Minnesota House of Representatives.[4]

References
  1. "Alaska District J State Senate Results: Tom Begich Wins". New York Times. February 10, 2017. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
  2. Hillman, Anne (August 8, 2016). "Replacing a legacy: running for Senate Seat J". Alaska Public Media. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
  3. Anderson, Rick (November 3, 2015). "In 1972, Two U.S Representatives Boarded a Plane and Disappeared. What Happened?". Seattle Weekly. Seattle, WA. Retrieved February 28, 2017.
  4. Minnesota State Legislature, Biography, Joseph R. Begich, retrieved June 2, 2014
Alaska Senate
Preceded by
Berta Gardner		 Minority Leader of the Alaska Senate
2019–present		 Incumbent
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