Lisa Murkowski Secures Reelection Under Alaska’s Ranked-Choice Voting System

Lisa Murkowski, the senior United States senator from Alaska, has once again secured her seat in the Senate, this time under Alaska’s recently enacted ranked-choice voting system. Murkowski, who has been serving in the Senate since 2002, was reelected in 2022 with 53% of the vote, a victory that was significantly influenced by the new voting system.

Murkowski’s political career has been marked by several notable milestones. She was controversially appointed to the Senate by her father, former U.S. senator and governor of Alaska Frank Murkowski, after he resigned his seat in December 2002. Despite initial controversy, she has managed to maintain her position through various elections, including a historic write-in campaign in 2010 after losing the Republican primary to Joe Miller.

In her latest reelection, Murkowski faced significant opposition from conservative Republicans who preferred her challenger, Kelly Tshibaka. However, the ranked-choice voting system allowed her to secure the necessary votes to win the election. This system has been seen as beneficial for Murkowski, given her broad appeal across different voter groups.

Murkowski has also been in the spotlight for her stances on various national issues. She was the first Republican in the Senate to call for President Trump’s resignation following the January 6, 2021, attack on the United States Capitol. She also voted to convict Trump in his second impeachment trial and supported the establishment of a bipartisan commission to investigate the Capitol attack.

As a member of the Senate, Murkowski has held several key positions, including vice chair of the Senate Republican Conference and chair of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. She is currently the vice chair of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee and has been a strong advocate for Alaska’s interests, particularly in the seafood industry.