Congressman Don Young dies during trip home to Alaska…

Alaska Republican congressman Don Young, the longest-serving House member and Alaska’s lone representative, passed away today at age 88. Young died on Friday “while traveling home to Alaska” his office said.

The longest-serving member of Congress, Young had served as the representative for Alaska since 1973 when he won a special election held in the wake of the disappearance of incumbent Democrat Nick Begich, who won the 1972 election despite having disappeared in a plane crash weeks earlier.

Congressman Don Young has been a great friend and colleague of mine for many years. I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of this amazing man who, in many ways, formed Alaska into the great state it is today. pic.twitter.com/fuD2s8N3aK

— Governor Mike Dunleavy (@GovDunleavy) March 19, 2022