When asked whether he would donate to Nick Begich’s congressional campaign, Tom Begich plainly responded,Why would I do that? He’s a conservative Republican,” and added, My nephew has never donated to any of my campaigns, which is disappointing.”

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From: The Alaska Landmine, 4/27/22

The Landmine contacted several donors regarding their 2016 contributions [when Nick ran for Anchorage Assembly], and to ask whether they would donate now. Most did not want to go on record. But Mark and Tom Begich, Nick Begich’s uncles, did comment.

Mark Begich, who served on the Anchorage Assembly and as mayor, told the Landmine, “I have supported Republicans and Democrats for Assembly because it is nonpartisan, though some try and make it partisan. The Assembly is about pot holes, education, and crime. It’s about making the community a better and place.”

Senator Tom Begich (D – Anchorage) had a bit more to say. “My nephew was running in a race at the time against Amy Demboski, who I believed was harmful to the interests of Anchorage, and she’s borne that out serving as municipal manager. So Nick’s judgement – while I don’t always agree with it – was sound in that race.” He added, “It was one of those occasions where I found myself aligned with Randy Ruedrich in supporting my nephew’s bid against Demboski.”

Ruedrich, along with other well-known Republican donors, also donated to Nick Begich in 2016.

When asked whether he would donate to Nick Begich’s congressional campaign, Tom Begich plainly responded,Why would I do that? He’s a conservative Republican,” and added, My nephew has never donated to any of my campaigns, which is disappointing.”