Senator Lisa Murkowski visited Talkeetna over the weekend as part of her re-election campaign in advance of Tuesday’s primary election.
At the campaign stop, which was held at Denali Brewpub, Murkowski answered questions about the current state of national politics. A lifelong Republican, she says she is concerned that her party is no longer centered on its core principles.
“Instead, they’re centering around one person, which is not, in my view, sustainable. And I don’t think it’s good for our party. Our party is more than a person. Our party is about values, and I think right now our party is really struggling.”
Senator Murkowski is considered by many to be a moderate. She has been part of multiple bi-partisan bills, including a current effort to codify the recently-overturned protections of Roe v Wade into federal law.
“The way that we will work to ensure that women’s reproductive healthcare—the freedoms that we have come to respect and appreciate for fifty years—the way we are going to protect that is if we come together on a bipartisan basis.”
Murkowski believes her position as a moderate allows her to be at the negotiating table on a variety of issues. She says too much of what happens in Washington, D.C. currently is based on sending messages and more focus should be put on passing legislation.
“Tell me what you’re gonna do to support women. Tell me what you’re gonna do to make sure that we’re a country of laws that respects our borders but respects the humanity of people. Tell me what you’re gonna do, then show it and do it. Don’t just talk about it.”
Murkowski is running for re-election in a crowded primary field. The four candidates who receive the most votes in Tuesday’s primary will advance to the general election in November. Murkowski is being challenged by fellow Republican Kelly Tshibaka, who has received the endorsement of former president Donald Trump. Under the old primary system, Murkowski failed to receive the Republican nomination in 2010, leading to a historic write-in campaign. She says she is excited that the new system will avoid that happening in the future.
“You’re gonna see my name. You just fill that in and it’s done. You don’t have to know how to spell my name this year.”
