| Tom Begich | |
| Office: | Minority Leader of the Alaska Senate |
| Term Start: | January 15, 2019 |
| Term End: | January 17, 2023 |
| Predecessor: | Berta Gardner |
| Successor: | Shelley Hughes |
| Office1: | Member of the Alaska Senate |
| Constituency1: | J |
| Term Start1: | January 17, 2017 |
| Term End1: | January 17, 2023 |
| Predecessor1: | Johnny Ellis |
| Successor1: | Löki Tobin (District I) |
| Birth Name: | Thomas Scott Begich |
| Birth Date: | 31 October 1960 |
| Birth Place: | Anchorage, Alaska, U.S. |
| 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]
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[50], 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.[51] [52]
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]