This page is part of an undergraduate assignment at Davidson College
Don Young: Better Off in the House
There is no doubt that Don Young would be a wonderful Republican candidate for the 2004 Alaskan Senate Race. As Alaska’s at-large Representative since 1973, Young wouldn't have to worry about expanding his voting constituency. He is a popular Republican among all Alaskans, a trait that has troubled incumbant Lisa Murkowski due to the circumstances of her appointment. From a national perspective, Republicans only hold 51 of the 100 seats in the Senate, while they enjoy a comfortable 22 seat margin over the Democrats in the House. Young would certainly be more of a lock for the Senate seat than Murkowski.
In 1972, the Republican Party asked him to run against incumbent Nick Begich for U.S. Representative. Young lost when Begich was reelected posthumously after dying in a plane crash just before the 1972 election. Young later won a special election for the seat in 1973 and has served as Alaska's U.S. Representative ever since ("Rep. Don Young" 1). Initially Young suffered through close reelection races because of “his reputation for abrasiveness and arrogance" (Rep. Don Young" 4). Representative Wayne Gilchrest (MA-R) described the Alaskan Congressman in one sentence. “Don Young does not mind confrontation”(Bergman 1).
Even though his aggressiveness has sometimes hurt his public perception, Alaskans also view him as a hard working, no nonsense politician who serves the interests of all Alaskans. Young is the 9th highest ranking member of the entire House, and the 4th highest ranking Republican member ("Don Young" 1). He has an amazing ability to raise funds because he favors development over the environment, which leads to jobs, but also leads to large campaign donations from corporate PAC’s (Berman 4).
Normally it would make sense for an ambitious candidate to jump from the House to the Senate. However, Young is in a unique situation because his House seat carries more power because he is the only representative for Alaska. In the Senate, Young would be one of two Senators, and would also have to start all over again as a junior Senator. Don Young has fought hard and attained powerful commitee chairs and has further ambitions to be Speaker of the House ("Forever Young" 1). Because of his age, he would not have enough time to build the seniority in the Senate that he already has in the House. In fact, Alaskan Governor Frank Murkowski approached Young in 2002 to take the Senate seat after Murkowski announced he was running for Governor. Young told the press, “I have no desire to be a senator. I like being what I am” ("Young Says No To Murkowsi Appointment" 1).
This page was created for an undergraduate political science course at Davidson College
Send all comments, questions, and suggestions to Scott Buckhout (scbuckhout@davidson.edu) .
Created: September 22, 2004
Updated: September 22, 2004