Challenges Expected for Alaska Senator

New York Times ^ | June 2, 2003 | ADAM CLYMER

[JohnnyZ]

ANCHORAGE, Alaska, June 2 — When Frank Murkowski quit the Senate after being elected governor last fall, he broke up one of the longest-serving delegations in Congressional history — consisting of himself, Senator Ted Stevens and Representative Don Young. The three had been together in Washington since 1980.

But there was continuity, at least in last names, because in appointing a successor to finish his term, he chose his daughter, State Representative Lisa Murkowski.

Now, as Ms. Murkowski, a Republican, campaigns to be elected in her own right next year, she is trying to set the tone by arguing, "It's important that we have the fresh face I'm offering." But other Alaska politicians are getting ready to argue that it's time for another change — before she gets entrenched.

Former Gov. Tony Knowles, a Democrat forced by term limits to give up the governorship last fall after eight years, sounds like a certain candidate.

Nationally, Democrats are already focusing their attention on Alaska because they see it as one of their two best chances to pick up a Republican Senate seat (Illinois is the other) in 2004. But before Ms. Murkowski can set about holding off Mr. Knowles, she has to get past a likely Republican primary next September. Although she told a news conference here last week that she was not aware of any challengers, at least three prominent Republicans say they are thinking about running. They are Mr. Hood, Johne Binkley, who runs a Fairbanks riverboat company, and Sarah Palin, the former mayor of Wasilla, whom Mr. Murkowski appointed to the state Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, a $118,000-a-year position.

[JohnnyZ]

I hope Sarah Palin runs. She can take it all the way!

[JohnnyZ]

I cut between "certain candidate" and "Nationally" and again at the end of the article.

[jeltz25]

this was rather presceint

[Windflier]

this was rather prescient

You can say that again!

Palin 2012