1972 United States House of Representatives election in Alaska

1972 United States House of Representatives election in Alaska

← 1970 November 7, 1972 1973 →

Nominee Nick Begich † Don Young Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 53,651 41,750 Percentage 56.24% 43.76%

Representative At-large before election Nick Begich Democratic Elected Representative At-large Nick Begich Democratic

Elections in Alaska
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The 1972 United States House of Representatives election in Alaska was held on November 7, 1972, to elect the United States Representative from Alaska's at-large congressional district. Incumbent Democratic Representative Nick Begich went missing shortly before the general election, but still defeated Republican nominee Don Young.^[1]

Primary[]

On February 10, 1972, incumbent Representative Nick Begich announced that he would seek reelection to the House of Representatives.^[2] He had considered running for the Democratic senatorial nomination against Republican Senator Ted Stevens, but chose to run for reelection and reaffirmed his intention on March 27.^[3][4]

On April 7, Don Young, a member of the Alaska Senate, stated that he was considering running for the Republican nomination for Alaska's congressional district.^[5] At the Republican Party's state convention, the party gave its support to Young, although he had not formally announced his candidacy for the House of Representatives.^[6] On May 22, Young announced his candidacy after filing to run in Juneau.^[7]

On June 1, Bruce Dickerson Stevens filed to run for the Republican nomination, but did not actively campaign in the primary.^[8][9][10]

On August 22, the open primary was held in which Begich placed first with nearly 70% of the popular vote, Young placed second with 25.60%, and Stevens placed third with less than 5%.^[11]

Candidates[]

• Nick Begich, member of the United States House of Representatives from Alaska's at-large congressional district (1971–1972)
• Bruce Dickerson Stevens, candidate in the 1970 United States House of Representatives election in Alaska
• Don Young, member of the Alaska House of Representatives (1967–1971) and Alaska Senate (1971–1973)

Results[]

General election[]

On September 6, 1972, Young challenged Begich to debate him, and Begich accepted on September 14.^[12][13] Four or five debates were planned to be held between Begich and Young, but Begich disappeared on October 16, while traveling by airplane with House Majority Leader Hale Boggs.^[14]

On October 19, Young suspended his campaign activities until Begich was found, but later resumed campaigning on October 28. Young stated that he believed that he was "doing what I think is best for the state" as if Begich was never found or discovered to have died then Alaska could not have a representative for six months until a special election was held to fill Begich's vacancy.^[15][16] House Minority Leader Gerald Ford stated that Alaska would possibly risk its seniority in the House of Representatives and House committee assignments if Young was not elected.^[17]

However, despite Young and Ford's statements, Begich won reelection with 56.24% of the popular vote against Young's 43.76%.^[18] Begich never reappeared and was declared dead in absentia in December 1972. His body was never found.

Results[]

See also[]

• 1972 United States House of Representatives elections

References[]