Tom Begich
American politician (born 1960)
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Thomas Scott Begich (born October 31, 1960) is an American politician and a former Democratic member of the Alaska Senate. He represented District J from 2017 to 2023. In August 2025, he announced he would run as a Democrat in the 2026 Alaska gubernatorial election. He is the son of former U.S. representative Nick Begich Sr., brother of former U.S. senator Mark Begich, and uncle of current U.S. representative Nick Begich III.
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Tom Begich | |
|---|---|
Begich in 2017 | |
| Minority Leader of the Alaska Senate | |
| In office January 15, 2019 – January 17, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Berta Gardner |
| Succeeded by | Shelley Hughes |
| Member of the Alaska Senate | |
| In office January 17, 2017 – January 17, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Johnny Ellis |
| Succeeded by | Löki Tobin (District I) |
| Constituency | J |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Thomas Scott Begich October 31, 1960 Anchorage, Alaska, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Sarah Sledge |
| Relatives | Nick Begich Sr. (father) Mark Begich (brother) Nick Begich III (nephew) |
| Education | Bard College (BA) |
Career
Begich is a musician and author. He has released six albums and has performed in venues across the country. He is also the author of a book of poetry, "Six Truths, Fifty Sonnets."[1] He was a delegate to the 2004 Democratic National Convention.
Begich was elected to the Alaska Senate in 2016 and was reelected twice without general election opposition.[2][3] In 2022, his seat was redistricted, and Begich chose to withdraw his candidacy for the seat.[4]
In 2020, Begich partnered with Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy to introduce the Alaska Reads Act, an initiative aimed to improve reading for kindergarten through third-grade students through a reading intervention program, teacher training, and data reporting requirements. The Alaska Reads Act was passed by the Alaska Legislature in May 2022.[citation needed]
In August 2025, Begich announced he would be running as a Democrat in the 2026 Alaska gubernatorial election. He is seeking to replace Republican Mike Dunleavy, who is barred from seeking re-election due to term limits.[5]
Personal life
Tom Begich comes from a prominent political family in Alaska. Begich's father was Nick Begich Sr., a member of the United States House of Representatives.[6] His brother, Mark, was a member of the United States Senate and Mayor of Anchorage, and his brother Nick Jr., is a conspiracy theorist author, scientist, and researcher. His nephew, Nick Begich III, is currently Alaska's representative to the United States House of Representatives. Tom Begich's uncle, Joseph Begich, served 18 years in the Minnesota House of Representatives.[7] Like Tom, Nick Sr., Mark, and Joseph are Democrats, while Nick III is a Republican.
Begich's wife, Sarah Sledge, is a singer and songwriter.[8]