Every two years since 1952, Joe Begich has attended his party's convention. That makes him the longest serving delegate in the party.
"I can't believe it because I'm only 80," Begich said. The former state representative said he attends every two years simply because he is a Democrat.
A convention highlight? The 1974 congressional convention in the 8th district that went all day Saturday and all day Sunday.
"We voted 30 or 40 times," he said. At issue: a fight for endorsement between state Sen. Tony Perpich and Jim Oberstar. Perpich ended up winning but Oberstar won a later primary and went on to congress. Oberstar has been in congress ever since, making him the longest serving member of the Minnesota delegation.
Neither Oberstar nor Begich show any sign of quitting.
Begich said he will keep coming back to conventions, he said, "as long as I'm walking."
