Polling Average
40%30%20%10%0%
29.3%
21.0%
20.1%
15.8%
13.9%
Alaska Governor winner? (Person)
$218.9K
NOV 7, 2026
General Election
Voters choose the office holder.
Live Odds
Current prediction-market probability for the candidate, updated as market prices change.
Tom Begich is trading at 26% to win the Alaska Governor winner? (Person) on prediction markets.
Candidate Overview
Key details about the candidate’s background, party, office sought and current campaign.
Current roleFormer State Senator
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyModerate Democrat
Age65 years old (Oct 31, 1960)
GenderMale
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LocationAlaska
BackgroundPolitician
EducationBard College — B.A. (History)
Notable personal detailsThomas Scott Begich is an American politician, musician, and consultant who served in the Alaska Senate representing District J from 2017 to 2023 and was Senate Minority Leader from 2019 to 2023. A Democrat, he has run for governor in Alaska's 2026 election cycle with Julia Hnilicka as his lieutenant governor running mate. He is part of Alaska's prominent Begich political family and is the brother of former U.S. Senator Mark Begich.
SourcesShowHide
en.wikipedia.orgaws.state.ak.uselections.alaska.govtombegichforalaska.comww.twstalker.comhistory.house.govcommons.wikimedia.orgdnr.alaska.govalaska.eduakmarine.orgalaskasnewssource.comnorthern.orggoodparty.orgalaskademocrats.orgbhfs.comakleg.govprod2.freshproduce.comadn.comktoo.orgtrackbill.comjuneauindependent.comcsgwest.orgjustfacts.votesmart.orgkdlg.orgkbbi.orgfactcheck.orgamgoa.orgalaskabeacon.combegich.house.govchange.orgalaskapublic.orgdeltadiscovery.comthealaskastory.complannedparenthoodaction.orgfacebook.comkrbd.orgx.comivoterguide.comnewsfromthestates.comalaskawatchman.comwikidata.orgsenate.govvotesmart.orgballotready.orgcongress.govjudiciary.senate.govgovinfo.govappropriations.senate.govfec.govdocquery.fec.gov
Political Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports using Permanent Fund earnings with a long-term draw (around 4%) and allocating a portion of those earnings to both dividends and public education; emphasizes common-sense fiscal planning and protecting education funding rather than large one-time payouts that could deplete the fund. Opposed ad-hoc energy relief payments when they would reduce funds for forward-funding education.
Healthcare
Tom Begich says Alaska cannot absorb major federal Medicaid funding losses and emphasizes making health care more affordable through measures such as negotiating with insurers and exploring self‑insurance rather than expanding state coverage. His public materials highlight pragmatic, state-level cost-containment and access measures rather than support for large federal expansions or single‑payer reforms.
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Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Tom Begich answered the 2020 Political Courage Test identifying as "pro-choice" while also indicating he would not legalize abortion when the pregnancy resulted from incest or rape, showing a qualified or internally inconsistent stance. Legislative hearing record excerpts show Begich engaging on limits and medical duties in abortion-related legislation. Available public records show no single unambiguous position on unrestricted abortion access or on codifying Roe-era protections.
Climate & Energy
Supports expanding renewable and alternative energy, investments in community-scale and cold-climate technologies, and adaptation measures for Alaska’s warming Arctic while also endorsing continued use of Alaska’s oil and gas resources as part of a reliable, affordable energy mix.
Public Safety & Guns
Tom Begich has sponsored and cosponsored legislation to create or expand gun-violence protective orders (extreme-risk/red-flag style measures) in the Alaska Legislature, indicating support for targeted firearm restrictions to improve public safety while serving as a state senator.
Latest News
AINews Summary
Last updatedAug 4, 2026
Tom Begich is in the news mainly for his 2026 Alaska governor’s race campaign. He recently chose former Biden administration official Julia Hnilicka as his running mate, and he has been promoting an energy-tax overhaul that would change oil taxes, end some tax credits, and create a Department of Energy. Early polling has shown him leading a crowded primary field, though the race remains competitive. Recent election coverage also places him in Alaska’s broader 2026 ballot and voting-system debate.
en.wikipedia.org+49
Articles
ADAnchorage Daily News2 months ago
Tom Begich picks former Biden official Julia Hnilicka as running mate in Alaska governor’s race
Neutral
ADAnchorage Daily News3 months ago
Opinion: Alaskans pay global prices and get little in return. Here’s how to fix it.
Neutral
NNewsweek3 months ago
Republicans’ Chances of Losing Alaska Governor and Senate Races-Polls
Positive
ADAnchorage Daily News5 months ago
Candidates pour their own money into Alaska governor’s race
Neutral
Latest Polls
Alaska Governor winner? (Person)
Recent polling results and the candidate's current average in the race.
Tom Begich currently averages 29.3%, ranking first in this race, 8.3 points ahead of the nearest opponent.
Polling average: 29.3%Position: firstMargin: +8.3 ptsLatest poll: 41.0% (Apr 16 - 19)Polls included: 12
Average recalculated from polls through Apr 16 - 19.
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
Alaska Governor winner? (Person)
Endorsers of Tom Begich for Alaska Governor winner? (Person)
Matt Schultz
Elected official
Matt Schultz endorsed Tom Begich for governor after suspending his congressional campaign.
American Federation of Government Employees
Public endorsement
American Federation of Government Employees endorsed Tom Begich.
Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund
Political organization
Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund endorsed Tom Begich.
Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates Alaska
Elected official
Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates Alaska endorsed Tom Begich for governor.
Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates Alaska
Elected official
Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates Alaska endorsed Tom Begich for governor.
IBEW 1547
Elected official
IBEW 1547 endorsed Tom Begich for Alaska governor in the primary election.
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Fundraising