Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) said this week that she has considered joining the Senate Democratic caucus but ultimately decided against it, citing deep frustrations with both parties and a continued, if uneasy, alignment with Republican values.
Her remarks come as she weighs a high-stakes vote on a Republican tax and spending bill endorsed by President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly clashed with Murkowski over the years. Trump has criticized her votes against his agenda, including her opposition to repealing the Affordable Care Act and her refusal to support the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. In 2022, he backed her Republican primary challenger, Kelly Tshibaka, in an unsuccessful attempt to oust her from the Senate.
Although she did not support either of Trump’s presidential campaigns and voted to convict him in his second impeachment trial, Murkowski has worked with him—especially when it serves Alaska’s interests. In her interview with Semafor, she said she recently thanked Trump during what she described as a “very pleasant” phone call for directing federal resources to the state.
While she still identifies as a Republican, Murkowski didn’t mince words when discussing her frustrations with both parties.
“As challenged as I think we may be on the Republican side, I don’t see the Democrats being much better,” she told GD Politics host Galen Druke. “They’ve got not only their own share of problems but, quite honestly, they’ve got some policies that I just inherently disagree with.”
One of the most persistent policy divides between Murkowski and Democrats has been over energy development. She has long championed efforts to expand oil and gas drilling in Alaska—an issue many Democrats have opposed, citing environmental concerns.
Despite those differences, Murkowski confirmed she has thought about caucusing with Democrats—but only in response to others raising the possibility.
“I would not be being honest with you if I said I’ve never been asked, ‘Why don’t you switch?’” she told Semafor. “Have I considered it? Yes, because I’ve been asked the question.”
She said that within the Republican conference, she often feels politically adrift.
“Do I feel that within my Republican conference, I always feel like I’m right here in my political home? No. There’s sometimes directions and policies that I disagree with,” she told Semafor.
She added, however, that her views “more closely align with” the GOP than Democrats.
But ultimately, Murkowski said that party labels come second to her responsibility to Alaskans.
“This is why this book is kind of scary,” she said on GD Politics, referring to her new memoir, “Far From Home.”
“Now people know what motivates me, and it’s this love for Alaska and what I can do. That’s my primary goal. I have to figure out how I can be most effective for the people that I serve.”
