By SUZANNE DOWNING
They say in Washington that if you want something done, give it to Congressman Nick Begich.
Begich, Alaska’s freshman congressman has been unanimously elected executive vice chair of the Congressional Western Caucus, one of the largest and most influential caucuses in the U.S. House of Representatives, a rare leadership rise for a first-term member.
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise praised the election, highlighting Begich’s growing influence within the conference:
“I’m excited to see my good friend, Rep. Nick Begich, elected unanimously to the role of Executive Vice Chair of the Western Caucus. The Western Caucus plays a vital role in advocating for policies that strengthen Western and rural America, such as promoting responsible resource development, energy production, and local land management. With Nick as Executive Vice Chair, the Western Caucus has another principled conservative leader who will fight passionately on behalf of Western states and rural communities, giving them a strong voice in Congress. I look forward to seeing all he will accomplish in this new role,” Scalise said.
Begich was nominated by Rep. Pete Stauber (R-MN-08) and seconded by Rep. Jeff Hurd (R-CO-03), and the vote was unanimous, demonstrating Begich’s support across Western Caucus membership.
“I am honored to be elected Executive Vice Chair of the Congressional Western Caucus and grateful for the confidence my colleagues have placed in me,” Begich said. “I want to congratulate my colleague, Congresswoman Maloy from the great state of Utah who will serve as Chairwoman of the Caucus. The Western Caucus plays an important role in advancing policies that strengthen America’s rural communities and promote responsible resource development. These issues are especially important to Alaska, and I look forward to working with Chairwoman Maloy and my colleagues in the Caucus to ensure rural America has a strong voice in Congress.”
Rep. Celeste Maloy (R-UT-02), previously the caucus’s executive vice chair, was elected to serve as Chairwoman of the Western Caucus, following the passing of longtime Chairman Doug LaMalfa.
“I am deeply honored and humbled to have been elected Chair of the Western Caucus,” Maloy said. “The trust my colleagues have placed in me especially as I step into the figuratively and literally large shoes of the late Chairman Doug LaMalfa is not lost on me. Doug was a relentless champion for rural America, and filling his shoes… is a tall order, but it’s one I am ready to attack with everything I have. The Western Caucus name may suggest the West, but our mission is national. Rural America lives in every state, and I will lead this Caucus with urgency, strength, and grit to ensure those communities are heard, defended, and never ignored.”
Begich’s election places Alaska in one of the top leadership roles within the House Western Caucus — the second-highest position — and continues a tradition of Alaska representation in Western Caucus leadership:
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Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK) has served as vice chair of the Senate Western Caucus.
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Rep. Don Young (R-AK) previously held leadership roles within the Congressional Western Caucus, including Vice Chairman for Indian Affairs and Oceans.
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Rep. Nick Begich now becomes Executive Vice Chair of the House caucus.
By contrast, Alaska’s other current federal officials, including Sen. Lisa Murkowski and former Rep. Mary Peltola, have not held formal leadership roles in either the House or Senate Western Caucus, despite participation in Western and energy-related policy efforts. Peltola joined the caucus but never attended caucus meetings.
The Congressional Western Caucus focuses on policies supporting rural America, multiple-use land management, domestic energy production, agriculture, and natural resource stewardship. The caucus plays a major role in shaping federal policy on land use, energy development, agriculture, water rights, and regulatory frameworks affecting Western and rural states.
As executive vice chair, Begich will help guide the caucus’s policy agenda and advocacy strategy and give Alaska a direct leadership voice in federal debates over energy, land management, and resource development at a time when those issues are increasingly central to national policy.
8 thoughts on “Breaking: Congressman Nick Begich elected executive vice chair of influential Congressional Western Caucus”
So proud of NB3. He pushed the old squaw.ker back to Bethel, where she can smoke on her crack pipe with all of the other druggies.
Don’t bite.
The Western Caucus is a Republican body within the structure of Congress. The title is misleading because there are republicans from across the country in it’s membership, not just Western States.
So this honor is from Republicans; Republicans that have largely stood with Trump with votes and worse, backed Trump with their silence in his violations of the Constitution.
My suspicion is this glory is being given to Nick to give him an edge, bragging rights to help in this year’s election.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congressional_Western_Caucus
Hopefully he takes time to enjoy the accolades and acceptance from his Republican team because if the Republicans lose their midterms it’ll upset the appointments made before the losses.
Then Republicans who were replaced they’d have to re-learn how to represent their state districts from a humbling position.
I think that leaders who experienced what sitting on the mountain peak like Sullivan and Murkowski or leaders ascending to higher heights like Begich they forget to stop, breath. Look around to enjoy the view and Most importantly Thank God for the gift of other leaders believing in you to raise you up. Just as Scripture says “God raises up New leaders and he retires leaders he once allowed to rise up”
Whether or not Republicans lose their majority by a midterm upset, there is always good work that can be done in the valleys while the team waits until the next election to regain seats and reclaim the majority again. God Willing we still have a country.
They only gave him the seat because the are in danger of losing the majority, all it is a figurehead on a living majority.
Here’s what Begich has said about the murders in Minneapolis: “ “.
I’m just glad you and I weren’t there Singh. Getting murdered is so absolute. I’d rather my liver take me out slowly. That’s my statement on the Minneapolis scene.
I think you’re already well on the way, Derm.
What murders? Do you mean these?
Victoria Eileen Harwell, a Minnesota mother killed in a car accident in August 2024, where the driver was later charged with vehicular homicide and identified as an illegal alien. 2025
Hallie Helgeson, an 18-year-old killed in a crash (reported in 2025 context), by an illegal alien who also killed two teens (names withheld due to age) 2025
It should be noted that immigration status is not accounted for in DoJ statistics thus the true scale of murders and assaults by illegal immigrants is hobbled by the willingness of the media to include immigration status in their reporting.
Under Obama, 56 people died during encounters with ICE officers. Obama still stated that he would enforce the law, despite the tragedies, and carry out the deportations of illegals. It was his duty.
56 civilians died. There were no violent protests. No hotels broken into and vandalized. No roads blocked, no ICE agents impeded, assaulted or harassed.