Particle.news
Download on the App Store
10 ARTICLES
·
2mo ago

Lisa Murkowski Opens Door to Leaving GOP

She said she would consider caucusing with Senate Democrats or sitting as an independent to deliver results for Alaska

Senator Lisa Murkowski, a Republican from Alaska, during the Congressional picnic on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC, US, on Thursday, June 12, 2025.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) leaves the Defense Subcommittee closed hearing at the U.S. Capitol on June 17, 2025 in Washington, DC.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska has been one of few Republicans to oppose some of the moves by the Senate majority party since the 119th Congress convened. She has joined Democrats to oppose some of President Donald Trump’s appointees, as well as some actions by members of the Trump administration. (J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE/AP FILE)

Overview

  • Murkowski acknowledged in a Semafor interview that she has thought about switching parties when constituents and colleagues have raised the question
  • On the GD Politics podcast, she described “some openness to exploring something different than the status quo,” including independent status or Democratic caucusing
  • Her memoir Far From Home recounts her repeated clashes with President Trump and critiques of the MAGA movement’s impact on bipartisan governance
  • She emphasized that her priority is effectiveness for Alaskans and cited Alaska’s bipartisan legislature coalition as a guiding example
  • Political analysts warn that if Murkowski departs the GOP conference after the 2026 midterms, Senate control could shift to Democrats