By Suzanne Downing 
Washington, DC has noticed something that Alaskans are only beginning to grasp: Congressman Nick Begich isn’t just another freshman member of Congress. He’s quickly becoming one of the leading voices on American energy policy. And the proof is unmistakable. When House leadership holds a press conference on national energy strategy, not just everyone gets invited to stand alongside Speaker Mike Johnson, Majority Leader Steve Scalise, Whip Tom Emmer, and Brett Guthrie, the Chair of Energy & Commerce. You don’t get that invite unless you are seen as the real deal.
They don’t give that platform to seat-fillers. They give it to effective members of Congress who deliver.
And the message they trust Nick Begich to deliver is that Alaska matters — not someday, not in the abstract, but right now.
Alaska has gone from the back bench, when Mary Peltola was in office, to center stage.
It wasn’t long ago that Alaska was politically sidelined in the House. With Peltola and her “smartest person in DC” President Joe Biden, our state was effectively sidelined: With her, no bills passed, no leadership was shown, and no influence was felt in the 118th Congress. For the first time in history, Alaska’s representative went an entire Congress without a single bill successfully carried across the finish line. But she did have parties that featured smoked salmon.
Worse, Peltola was never tapped by leadership – not once – to join them in policy rollouts, press conferences, or strategic discussions about national priorities like energy. Ten years as a legislator didn’t make her notable on Capitol Hill, nor did it translate into getting anything done for the people of Alaska.
Contrast that with what’s happening today.
Nick Begich, with no previous legislative tenure, walked into Congress and immediately got to work. He’s been producing where others merely played along. Now leadership sees him as one of the most effective communicators and sharpest policy thinkers on the issue that defines every household’s bottom line: energy affordability.
During this week’s leadership press conference, Begich made a point that is finally getting national traction: affordability is an energy issue. Energy costs touch everything — food, housing, transportation, medicines, manufacturing, every product on every shelf. If you want lower costs, you have to produce more energy, period.
And he’s pairing those words with action.
Begich has taken the lead on:
• NPRA reforms
• ANWR 1002 Area restoration
• The SPEED Act, to reform NEPA and eliminate endless federal permitting roadblocks
• Infrastructure proposals designed to drive down long-term energy costs
For the first time in years, Alaska’s energy portfolio is not a political afterthought. It’s a national priority — and leadership is making that point by putting Begich in the front row. He’s the freshman who is not acting like one.
House leadership doesn’t hand out rare moments like this lightly. They choose the people they believe can carry the message with knowledge, clarity, and conviction. And they’re choosing Begich — a freshman — to stand with the most senior leaders in Congress because he’s proving he belongs at that table.
The same cannot be said of the Democrats’ would-be contenders.
Matt Schultz, the Anchorage Democrat who is challenging Begich, offers nothing, just like Peltola. No plan, no legislative chops, no momentum. Peltola had the seat, and Washington simply patted her on the head. Alaska got zero bills, zero influence, zero wins.
Nick Begich is delivering everything Alaskans have been asking for: policy wins, visibility at the highest levels, and a seat at the table where national priorities are shaped.
Alaska cannot afford to go back.
We know where we were for two years: shoved to the sidelines, watching the state’s interests get ignored. Alaska cannot afford to hand that seat back to people who offer no vision beyond keeping Alaska quiet and compliant, smiling sweetly as our state gets screwed.
For the first time in a long time, Alaska is in the room where it happens.
For the first time in years, Alaska is being treated as an energy leader.
And for the first time in a generation, our freshman is outworking the establishment.
Nick Begich is proving what an A-team representative looks like. Washington is taking notice.
Suzanne Downing is editor of The Alaska Story.
Great article; so glad to see my prayers are being answered. Now it’s time to focus on State politics.
He has recognized being elected wouldn’t just be enough, but that he continues to earning the respect and support from the Alaskans voting for him while convincing those who did not vote for him that he truly the better candidate than his opponent
However long he gets to serve as US Congressman or in any other elect position big or small, prayers is that he never forgets his position of authority is to enrich himself but to be a voice for Alaska and Alaskans and a defender of the weak or a people who can’t fight
He has recognized being elected wouldn’t just be enough, but that he continues to earning the respect and support from the Alaskans voting for him while convincing those who did not vote for him that he truly the better candidate than his opponent
However long he gets to serve as US Congressman or in any other elect position big or small, prayers is that he never forgets his position of authority is to Not enrich himself but to be a voice for Alaska and Alaskans and a defender of the weak or a people who can’t fight
I am so proud of Nick who has the ability to stand out with integrity to back up his campaign promises in spite of all the nay sayers who continually ragged about his affiliation with democrat relatives of which I would never give a moment of consideration when it comes to leadership.
Mark did a lot of damage to Anchorage as mayor with his constant backing of the unions just to gain votes and the excessive price gouging of property tax payers with unfair inflated valuation assessments. He is and was truly a snake and I believe he may be culpable regarding the phony FBI scandal attack on Ted Stevens.
Every pile of wood has a some that absolutely stink with rot.
Lastly lets not forget Nick’s sharp contrast to the Democrat Peltola who absolutely disgraced the entire state while in DC hugging the likes of Pelosi and Jeffries as well as her dancing partners known as the squad.
I am certain she absolutely loved being sniffed by her mentor “Cornpop Joe”
Keep this in mind when Scary Mary runs for governor. She’s absolutely not fit for purpose
I am cognizant of Rep. Begich’s rise to the top as Alaska’s statesman, our best proponent in decades and as a representative at the top on the most pressing issue for the 2026 midterms, affordability.
However, I was more than heartily saddened to find he voted against the censure of Delegate Plaskett (V.I.) who texted with Epstein during a hearing, i.e. questions coached by a pedophile. His vote was to avoid a reciprocal censure of Rep. Cory Mills (FL-7) for accusations of stolen valor, financial conflicts, and domestic violence. I guess no matter how DC ethics are violated, The Swamp protects its own.
@PennyJohnson – Congressman Begich did vote aye/yea on H Res. 888 (the vote to censure of Rep. Plaskett.) You can check the record at congres.gov
This is incorrect. Begich voted to censure Plaskett.
Who? Begich? Never heard from him unless he wants my vote, my dollar or to ignore his failures.
I told Tom that if he wants to make the A Team like our nephew, he’s got to get rid of all that gray and white hair, especially the ponytail that he scuffies up in the morning. Ridiculous. Right now I’d put him at about the C- Team. Nicholas and I were both A Teamers.
Ponytail on old men is the “look,” and I plan on wearing it into the governor’s mansion. As for giving me a C-, Mark, you’re the *ssh*le who put Anchorage into near financial bankruptcy and left us with moral bankruptcy and downtown destitution. You cheated your win into the US Senate seat too, and you know it. Grow up, SpongeBoy!