Rep. Don Young easily wins re-election despite recent misstep


Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska) speaks to the National Congress of American Indians earlier this year. Photo from Rep. Don Young

Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska) easily won his re-election campaign on Tuesday despite stirring controversy with comments about youth suicide.

Young won with nearly 52 percent of the vote, according to the Secretary of State. He will serve a 22nd term as Alaska's sole representative in the U.S. House.

After generating national headlines for some blunt comments about suicide, Young issued a public apology at the Alaska Federation of Natives late last month. He revealed that he lost a young family member to suicide and called for more support services to address the high rate of suicide in the state.

"We cannot bring them back. But we can prevent future suicides," Young told Alaska Natives at their annual convention.

Young serves as chairman of the House Subcommittee on Indian and Alaska Native Affairs, which has jurisdiction over Indian issues. His late wife, Lula, was Alaska Native and was well known across the state.

Get the Story:
Despite recent missteps, Young sweeps back into office over Dunbar (The Alaska Dispatch News 11/5)
Alaska US Rep. Don Young wins 22nd term in House (AP 11/4)

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