By JAMIE D. ALLARD

June 4, 2026 – Congressman Nick Begich is proving to be one of those rare members of Congress.

Born in Alaska, Congressman Begich represents the kind of story many Alaskans admire. He left the state at an early age, through no choice of his own, finished his education, started a career, and then came home. He chose Alaska as his home, Today, he and his wife are raising their family here, rooted in the state that shaped him.

Of course, good biography is not enough. Alaska has seen plenty of politicians with resumes. What makes a difference is performance. On that score, Begich has delivered. Time and again.

In less than a year and a half in office, he has established himself as the most productive freshman members of Congress in the country in American history. While many new members spend their first term learning the ropes, Nick Begich immediately got to work moving legislation through the House.

He became the first freshman member of the 119th Congress to pass legislation out of the House. That achievement alone would be notable. But it was only the beginning.

He successfully advanced legislation protecting Alaska Native settlement trust payments from being counted against eligibility for federal assistance programs. He moved legislation restoring land control to village corporations. He helped finalize long-standing land entitlement issues involving Cape Fox Corporation and the community of Saxman.  Just this week, he advanced legislation recognizing five Southeast Alaska Native communities that had spent decades seeking federal recognition and compensation under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act.

These were not flashy national headlines. They were solid Alaska solutions for real Alaska problems.

That is becoming a pattern.

Nick Begich has also been one of Alaska’s strongest advocates for resource development. He worked to secure provisions requiring new lease sales in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, the National Petroleum Reserve Alaska, and Cook Inlet. He helped advance measures that will increase Alaska’s share of federal leasing revenues in the future. He has consistently pushed back against federal restrictions that threaten the state’s ability to responsibly develop its resources and create jobs.

At a time when Washington often seems determined to make energy more expensive and economic growth more difficult, Nick Begich has been unapologetic in defending Alaska’s role as an energy producing state.

He has also shown a willingness to engage on emerging issues. His work on digital assets and cryptocurrency regulation demonstrates an understanding that Alaska cannot afford to be left behind as new technologies reshape the economy.

Whether one agrees with every proposal or not, it is encouraging to see a congressman looking ahead rather than simply reacting to yesterday’s problems.

Perhaps most remarkable is the influence Nick Begich has accumulated as a freshman lawmaker. He serves in leadership roles on key subcommittees dealing with energy, mineral resources, pipelines, transportation, and infrastructure. Those assignments place Alaska’s interests directly at the table where major decisions are made.

That influence is a notable difference from the previous two years of do nothing Mary.

For those years, many Alaskans felt the state had lost some of its standing in Washington. The days when Alaska’s congressional delegation commanded attention seemed increasingly distant.

Nick Begich is helping reverse that trend. Whether the issue is resource development, fisheries, aviation safety, infrastructure, or technological innovation, he is making sure Alaska is once again part of the conversation.

And that brings us back to Eagle River.

Eagle River has always had much to be proud of. It is one of Alaska’s strongest communities, filled with hardworking families, entrepreneurs, veterans, and citizens who care deeply about their state. It is a place where community pride still means something.

Today, Eagle River can take pride in something else, It helped produce a congressman who is serving every corner of Alaska.

Not just Eagle River and not just Republicans. All Alaskans.

The late Congressman Nick Begich Sr. left a legacy that still resonates in Alaska more than five decades after his tragic death in 1972. His grandson is building a legacy of his own through hard work, persistence, and results.

Washington is full of people who know how to talk. Alaska needs people who know how to deliver.

Congressman Nick Begich has done exactly that. I proudly stand with Nick for a second term in Congress.

Jamie Allard is a member of the Alaska House of Representatives, representing Eagle River.