This was the last time that a Democrat won Alaska's House seat until 2022’s special election, when Mary Peltola was elected to succeed the late Young.[2]
On February 10, 1972, incumbent Representative Nick Begich announced that he would seek reelection to the House of Representatives.[3] He had considered running for the Democratic senatorial nomination against Republican Senator Ted Stevens, but chose to run for reelection and reaffirmed his intention on March 27.[4][5]
On April 7, Don Young, a member of the Alaska Senate, stated that he was considering running for the Republican nomination for Alaska's congressional district.[6] At the Republican Party's state convention, the party gave its support to Young, although he had not formally announced his candidacy for the House of Representatives.[7] On May 22, Young announced his candidacy after filing to run in Juneau.[8]
On June 1, Bruce Dickerson Stevens filed to run for the Republican nomination, but did not actively campaign in the primary.[9][10][11]
On August 22, the open primary was held in which Begich placed first with nearly 70% of the popular vote, Young placed second with 25.60%, and Stevens placed third with less than 5%.[12]
On September 6, 1972, Young challenged Begich to debate him, and Begich accepted on September 14.[13][14] Four or five debates were planned to be held between Begich and Young, but Begich disappeared on October 16, while traveling by airplane with House Majority Leader Hale Boggs.[15]
On October 19, Young suspended his campaign activities until Begich was found, but later resumed campaigning on October 28. Young stated that he believed that he was "doing what I think is best for the state" as if Begich was never found or discovered to have died then Alaska could not have a representative for six months until a special election was held to fill Begich's vacancy.[16][17] House Minority Leader Gerald Ford stated that Alaska would possibly risk its seniority in the House of Representatives and House committee assignments if Young was not elected.[18]
However, despite Young and Ford's statements, Begich won reelection with 56.24% of the popular vote against Young's 43.76%.[19]
Begich never reappeared and was declared dead in absentia in December 1972. His body was never found.
