Congressman-elect Nick Begich III (R-Alaska) will be sworn in on Jan. 3, 2025, along with other newly-elected members of Congress.
In the weeks since his electoral victory over outgoing U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola (D-Alaska), Begich has named several lobbyists and other politicos to top positions in his office.
Here’s what we know about four people who will be influential in Begich’s first term representing Alaska.
Michael Horanburg — chief of staff
A newcomer to Alaska, most of Michael Horanburg’s political experience comes from his time in New Mexico.
After four years as a lobbyist for the National Rifle Association, he held multiple positions on former U.S. Rep. Yvette Herrell’s (R-New Mexico) staff. After President Joe Biden’s election victory in 2020, Herrell was among many congressional Republicans who objected to Biden’s election certification.
Horanburg earned over $325,000 in two years as one of Herrell’s staffers, according to political data aggregation website legistorm.com.
Rick Whitbeck —
state director
Born in Fairbanks, Rick Whitbeck will lead Begich’s state operations.
He is most known as the Alaska director of Power The Future — a national organization that advocates for an increased reliance on fossil fuels as opposed to sustainable power generation.
In a November blog post on the conservative blog Must Read Alaska, Whitbeck wrote, “Thankfully, we have President [-elect] Donald J. Trump returning to office, and if his first term is any indication, Alaska will be on the forefront of American energy independence, dominance and helping make America great again.”
In another blog post, he claimed human-caused global warming is a theory and called environmental organizations “anti-human.”
Silver Prout — communications director and fisheries liaison
Silver Prout, of Kodiak, will head Begich’s public relations office and advise the congressman-elect on fisheries.
Under the Trump administration, she worked in the Department of Homeland Security’s office of partnership and engagement.
In October 2023, Prout appeared on Fox News after she was one of 32 Americans who left Israel after Hamas’ invasion.
Kevin Swanson —
legislative director
Kevin Swanson will serve as Begich’s legislative director and deputy chief of staff.
Previously, Swanson worked in both U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and former U.S. Rep. Don Young’s (R-Alaska) offices as a legislative assistant — specializing in transportation and telecommunications.
Early in his career, Swanson was a staffer for Massachusetts Democrats Sen. Ed Markey and former Sen. John Kerry.