Cestitke!*

 

Mark Begich has been elected the Democratic senator from Alaska.  His father, the late Nick Begich was the last Alaska Democrat to serve in the US House of Representatives. His paternal grandfather came from Croatia in 1911.  Mark Begich is a "product" of a proud nation of immigrants; an important part of the mosaic that strengthens and enriches this country from every continent across the globe.

 

Begich defeated incumbent, convicted on seven counts of felony,  Republican senator Ted Stevens.

 

As Seth Michaels at the AFL-CIO blog writes: "Union volunteers worked hard to elect Begich through door-to-door walks, phone banks, worksite visits and local union mail, and clearly, every vote mattered in this tight race. Just before Election Day, Begich spoke to Labor 2008 volunteers about the stakes in the race and the importance of getting out the vote.

We are not leaving anything to chance, no matter what the circumstances that are out there. We are not going to take anything for granted. We are going to work double time. And you folks have been unbelievable, what the labor movement has done….I see it everywhere I go. It's a fantastic support base out there. You folks are going to make the difference.

"With this narrow victory, it's obvious that Begich had it right: The hard work of union voters put him over the top.

 

"Begich's win means that working families have added seven seats this election, for a total of 58 pro-worker votes. Begich will join other new senators in supporting the Employee Free Choice Act and fighting for strong pro-worker policies on jobs, trade and health care."

 

 

*Congratulations in Croatian