Alaska Rep. Don Young—Longest-Serving House Member—Dies At 88

Topline

Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska) died Friday at the age of 88, after serving in Congress for a nearly 50-year stint that made him the oldest and longest-serving sitting member of the House, his office confirmed to several media outlets.

Key Facts

Key Background

Young was born in California in 1933 and later moved to Fort Yukon, a remote city in northern Alaska, according to his official biography. After stints as a teacher and a state and local politician, he was sworn in as Alaska’s only House member in 1973 and re-elected two dozen times, making him the longest-serving House Republican in history. Young was the most senior member of the House Natural Resources Committee, a position he used to advocate for more extensive oil drilling in Alaska, and he passionately pushed for federal funding for projects in Alaska. He was also known for his blunt and occasionally controversial statements, and he faced an ethics investigation nearly a decade ago for alleged misuse of campaign funds.

Crucial Quote

“Don Young’s legacy as a fighter for the state will live on, as will his fundamental goodness and his honor,” his office said in a statement.

Tangent

Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.) praised Young in a tweet Friday evening: “His fiercely independent voice for Alaska and one of a kind wit and character will be missed.”