Rep. Don Young, longest-serving GOP congressman in U.S. history, dead at 88


Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska) died Friday at the age of 88, CNN reports.
Young was serving his 25th term as Alaska's sole member of the House of Representatives. He was first elected in 1973.
As the longest-serving congressman, Young had held the title "dean of the House" — a largely ceremonial position whose sole duty is swearing in the Speaker of the House — since former Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.) resigned in 2017. The title now passes to Rep. Hal Rogers (R-Ky.), who first took office in 1981.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Young was the longest-serving Republican federal lawmaker in U.S. history, with a tenure of 49 years and 13 days. He was the ninth-longest-serving member of Congress overall. The top eight spots are all held by Democrats.
"This is the congressman whom Alaska will remember forever. Alaska is a better place because of Don Young," Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy (R) said.
According to Fox News, Young died at Los Angeles International Airport. A statement released by his office said that he was "traveling home to Alaska to be with the state and people that he loved" and that "his beloved wife, Anne, was by his side."
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Grayson Quay was the weekend editor at TheWeek.com. His writing has also been published in National Review, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Modern Age, The American Conservative, The Spectator World, and other outlets. Grayson earned his M.A. from Georgetown University in 2019.
-
Critics' choice: 2025 James Beard Award winners
Feature Featuring a casually elegant restaurant, recipes nearly lost to war, and more
-
How will Trump's spending bill impact student loans?
the explainer Here's what the Republicans' domestic policy bill means for current and former students
-
Can the US economy survive Trump's copper tariffs?
Today's Big Question The price hike 'could upend' the costs of cars, houses and appliances
-
Judge nixes wiping medical debt from credit checks
Speed Read Medical debt can now be included in credit reports
-
Grijalva wins Democratic special primary for Arizona
Speed Read She will go up against Republican nominee Daniel Butierez to fill the US House seat her father held until his death earlier this year
-
US inflation jumps as Trump tariffs 'bite'
Speed Read Consumer prices are climbing and the inflation rate rose to its highest level in four months
-
'No one should be surprised by this cynical strategy'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
SCOTUS greenlights mass DOE firings
Speed Read The Supreme Court will allow the Trump administration to further shrink the Education Department
-
Cuomo announces third-party run for NYC mayor
Speed Read He will go up against progressive Democratic powerhouse Zohran Mamdani and incumbent Mayor Eric Adams
-
Secret Service 'failures' on Trump shooting
Speed Read Two new reports detail security breakdowns that led to attempts on the president's life
-
Trump set to hit Canada with 35% tariffs
Speed Read The president accused Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney of failing to stop the cross-border flow of fentanyl