The last time Don Young ended up on the losing side of a political campaign was to a candidate with the last name Begich.
That 1972 race against Nick Begich, who disappeared a few weeks before Election Day, was also the only time Alaska’s longtime congressman lost a bid for the House of Representatives. He has since served 22 terms and fended off dozens of opponents if you count third-party and primary election challengers.
In each of his recent campaigns, Young filed paperwork with the Division of Elections in Anchorage during the February recess. The early start helps quash rumors that he might be retiring, he said. “I’m not retiring. The people will retire me, or God will.”
But will the Republican face another Begich in 2016?
Democrat Mark Begich, Nick’s son, lost re-election in November to Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan. Begich in January passed on running for the political gig he held before unseating Ted Stevens and going to Washington in 2008 — Anchorage mayor — and he instead started working in business development and political consulting.
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