Alaska's Don Young to become longest-serving member of Congress after Conyers' retirement
Rep. Don Young has a new claim to fame: He’s about to become the longest-serving member of Congress.
The Alaska Republican’s illustrious, if unofficial, title comes after Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., announced Tuesday that he was resigning from the seat he’s held for more than five decades, amid sexual harassment allegations.
Young, 84, has served in the House since 1973. He lost the 1972 election for Alaska’s at-large seat, but his opponent, Democrat Nick Begich, disappeared in a plane crash days before the election. Begich was declared officially dead that December, and Young won the special election for the seat. Since then, he has won term after term.
Once Conyers’ retirement is official, Young will gain the title of “dean of the House,” given to the most senior House member.
Over in the Senate, Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., is the most senior senator. He’s served in Congress since 1975, two years after Young.