Tom Begich

Tom Begich
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 (age 63); Anchorage, Alaska, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Sarah Sledge
Relatives	Nick Begich (father); Mark Begich (brother)
Education	Bard College (BA)

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 and was elected twice without general election opposition.^[1]^[2] In 2022, his seat was redistricted, and Begich chose to withdraw his candidacy for the seat.^[3]

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."^[4] He was a delegate to the 2004 Democratic National Convention.

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]}

Personal life

Tom Begich's father was Nick Begich, a member of the United States House of Representatives.^[5] His brother, Mark, was a member of the United States Senate and his brother Nick Jr., is a conspiracy theorist author, scientist, and researcher. Tom Begich's uncle, Joseph Begich, served 18 years in the Minnesota House of Representatives.^[6] Begich's wife, Sarah Sledge, is a singer and songwriter.^[7]