REPLACING:

Mary Peltola (D) [i]

WORK HISTORY:

Dashfire (Co-Founder); FarShore Partners (Executive Chairman); FarShore Partners (CEO & Founder); Club for Growth (Fellow); Matanuska Telephone Association (Director); Alaska Policy Forum (Board President); MTA Foundation (President); Northern Trust Real Estate (General Manager); Ford Motor Company (Information Technology Leadership Program); Sensormatic (Investor Relations Specialist) [ii]

EDUCATION:

MBA, Indiana University; BBA, Baylor University [iii]

CAMPAIGNED ON:

American Energy; Industry & Jobs; Protecting Freedom; Protecting Children; Lowering Healthcare Costs; Keeping America Safe; Protecting Financial Sovereignty [iv]

ON THE ISSUES

REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS:

Begich describes himself as “pro-life and a Constitutionalist” who supports legislation that aids mothers and their families. He vows to vote against legislation that provides federal funding for abortions and instead advocates for accelerating the adoption process, aiding crisis pregnancy centers, and implementing parental notifications when minors are attempting to obtain an abortion. [v] [vi] Begich supports the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and considers the matter of abortions as a state issue; therefore, he refuses to support a national law that bans or protects abortions. [vii] [viii]

IMMIGRATION & BORDER SECURITY:

Begich supports “smart, legal immigration” to fuel America’s economic growth but considers current immigration policies inefficient. He argued that undocumented individuals receive financial support and social assistance upon entering the United States, while skillful individuals attempting to legally immigrate are “placed in the back of the line.” Begich views “porous borders” as a threat to national security and urges for strictly enforcing legal immigration. [ix] He intends to reinstitute the” Remain in Mexico" policy and advocates for returning to “the historical definition” of a Qualified Asylum Claim. Begich contends that most asylum seekers are classified as climate or economic refugees, which he feels are not legitimate asylum claims. [x]

ECONOMY & JOBS:

Begich emphasizes the importance of Alaska’s natural resources to support the state’s economy and food security while contributing to national interests. He advocates for reforming Alaska’s timber industry through “rational” leases to create jobs and diversify the economy. Begich additionally calls for the responsible development of Alaska’s critical minerals that support green technology, domestic supply chains, and high-tech industries. [xi] During an October 2024 candidate debate, Begich criticized recent infrastructure legislation largely supported by Democrats and vowed to reduce federal spending. He argued that inflation under the Biden administration “has been crippling for small businesses and for families,” noting that the inflation was caused by a spending deficit. [xii] Begich considers digital assets and metals such as gold and silver an “alternative safe haven asset class.” Touting his endorsement from the crypto political organization HODLPAC, Begich advocates for a financial system that allows cryptocurrency to thrive, “free from the heavy hand of central control,” and considers Central Bank Digital Currencies a threat to individual sovereignty. [xiii]

TAXES:

Begich has expressed concerns about the federal infrastructure bill’s impact on taxes. He supports the bill’s investments in Alaska’s infrastructure but stressed the need for long-term projects with tangible improvement plans. Begich criticized excessive spending in recent infrastructure legislation and stressed that infrastructure investments must avoid burdening future generations with inflation and higher taxes. [xiv] He also voiced support for federal tax cuts from the Trump era. [xv]

CRIME & PUBLIC SAFETY:

Begich has called for ending justice systems being “politically weaponized” in state and federal jurisdictions. He argued that Congress should consider defunding agencies like the FBI to ensure Americans’ civil rights are protected by their elected officials. [xvi]

CLIMATE CHANGE, ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT:

Begich regards Alaska as a model for climate industry practices, including maintaining clean air and water. He advocates for the United States to leverage its influence to encourage better environmental practices globally. Begich argued that the U.S. failure to ensure “common sense manufacturing practices” has led to environmental arbitrage internationally. He supports developing a trans-Alaska natural gas pipeline and the expansion of oil drilling in the state. [xvii] Begich promotes an “all-of-the-above development strategy” for Alaska oil and gas resources to implement independent supply chains and enhance job creation. [xviii]

FOREIGN POLICY:

Begich argues that America relies on foreign rivals who fund the country’s deficit spending, provide energy products, and control supply chains. He notes that recent foreign policy has provided a limited response to international issues and calls for a comprehensive effort to move America toward independence from foreign rivals. Begich supports Israel in “eradicating Hamas,” arguing that attacking terrorism is essential to regional and international security. He criticized the Biden administration for its continued aid to Ukraine and argued that America has contributed more to the country than Europe. Begich advocates for prioritizing domestic issues such as securing the U.S. borders and ensuring “domestic tranquility.” [xix] [xx]

HEALTHCARE & SOCIAL SAFETY NET:

Begich has called for healthcare reform that lowers costs and implements innovation for primary and preventative care. He promotes a healthcare system that increases competition, encourages prescription drug price negotiations, and poses strict work requirements for “able-bodied Medicaid recipients” to lower healthcare costs. [xxi] Begich has advocated for protecting seniors and social security benefits, vowing to support measures that preserve social security, maintain funding for the benefits, and advocate “for a consistent retirement age.” [xxii]

DEMOCRACY:

Begich criticizes large technology firms for maintaining and selling unregulated personal data, a practice he believes threatens free speech and self-determination. He emphasizes the need for regulations that curtail the abuse of fundamental rights. Additionally, Begich has advocated for individuals who participated in the January 6 U.S. Capitol insurrection to face a trial conducted with proof beyond reasonable doubt. [xxiii]

SOCIAL ISSUES:

Begich argues that the nuclear family is threatened by state intervention. He suggested that the Department of Education under the Biden administration has “required school districts to socialize certain sexual content and lifestyle materials to young children.” He condemned schools that allow transgender individuals to compete in sports teams, share restrooms, and share private dressing rooms with their identified gender. Begich also argued that certain educators have pushed their personal ideology on students. [xxiv] Begich has voiced support for a Trump-era policy that would ban individuals identifying as transgender from the U.S. military. He argued that under the Biden administration, the U.S. military has focused on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Environmental Social Governance rather than protecting the nation. [xxv]