Nick Begich’s victory in Alaska’s lone House race wasn’t just a win for the GOP—it was a reality check for Democrats who thought they could keep holding onto a seat in Trump country. Begich, a conservative Republican from Alaska’s storied Begich political family, edged out Democratic incumbent Mary Peltola, who had been clinging to the seat as one of the last remnants of blue in an increasingly red tide.
Peltola’s defeat is a blow to Democrats for several reasons. First, she wasn’t just any Democrat—she was a unicorn of sorts: one of five House Democrats representing districts Trump carried in 2020. Second, she brought a compelling narrative as the first Native Alaskan in Congress, which undoubtedly won her sympathy and votes. But good stories don’t pay the bills or fix an economy. Voters in Alaska were more interested in someone who’d fight for their wallets and their way of life, and Begich delivered the message they wanted to hear.
Begich’s win nudges the Republican majority in the House to 219 seats—a slim but crucial margin that makes Nancy Pelosi’s dreams of a comeback feel even more distant. It also serves as another reminder that Democrats’ lock on rural, working-class voters is fading faster than Joe Biden’s approval ratings.
VALUABLE PICKUP: Conservative Republican Nick Begich will win a tight race for Alaska’s lone seat, widening the Republican majority in the House to 219 and 213 for Democrats. https://t.co/fKbjyEbi4t pic.twitter.com/NhOuegOiSe
— Fox News (@FoxNews) November 21, 2024
The Begich name carries weight in Alaska, though not necessarily for conservative reasons. Nick Begich Sr., the congressman’s late grandfather, was a Democrat who disappeared mysteriously in 1972. Nick’s uncle, Mark Begich, was a Democratic U.S. senator until Alaska decided it was tired of blue in 2014. Yet here’s Nick Jr., a conservative through and through, flipping the family’s legacy on its head by promising to bring America First values to Congress.
Peltola’s loss also highlights the quirks of Alaska’s ranked-choice voting system, which played a key role in her special election win in 2022. Back then, Republicans split the vote between Begich and Sarah Palin, allowing Peltola to squeeze through. This time, the GOP played smarter, rallying behind Begich early and avoiding the intraparty cannibalism that cost them the seat last year.
Despite her loss, Peltola’s moderate record on energy and climate likely helped her avoid a complete blowout. But let’s face it: Alaska is a state where drilling and resource development are lifelines, and being a Democrat—no matter how moderate—means being chained to a party that panders to environmentalists and chokes the energy sector. Begich capitalized on that disconnect and positioned himself as a fighter for Alaska’s independence, jobs, and resources.
Trump-backed Republican Nick Begich beats Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola for Alaska’s only House seat https://t.co/mI9ID7kGVC pic.twitter.com/awKrphjVXN
— New York Post (@nypost) November 21, 2024
For Republicans, this victory isn’t just a morale boost—it’s proof that fighting smarter can deliver wins, even in states with tricky voting systems. For Democrats, it’s another crack in their coalition in districts they should never have controlled in the first place. As for Begich, he now carries the torch for Alaska’s conservative future. And unlike his Democratic relatives, he seems more interested in empowering Alaskans than in toeing the party line.
