“I’m Still a Republican,” Sen. Lisa Murkowski Clarifies After Comments on Party Identity

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) was forced to clarify her political affiliation on Thursday after making comments that seemed to distance herself from the Republican Party. During a discussion hosted by the group No Labels in Washington, Murkowski said she felt “more comfortable” without a party label, prompting concerns and questions about her loyalty to the GOP.

“I’m not attached to a label, I’d rather be that ‘no label.’ I’d rather be that person that is just known for trying to do right by the state and the people that I serve, regardless of party, and I’m totally good and comfortable with that,” Murkowski remarked during the event at the Mayflower Hotel, according to Politico.

These comments raised eyebrows, especially among those who have criticized her for not fully aligning with President-elect Donald Trump’s agenda. However, Murkowski later clarified that she is “still a Republican” and has “never shed my party label.”

She explained the complexities of the Senate system, saying, “We’ve got a system in the Senate where there are two sides of the aisle, and I have to sit on one side, or I have to sit on the other.” The moderate senator, who has represented Alaska since 2003, has long been known for challenging her party’s positions.

Murkowski further emphasized her divergence from the Trump wing of the GOP, stating, “I don’t think I’ve made any secret of the fact that I’m more of a Ronald Reagan Republican than I am a Trump Republican.” When questioned about her loyalty to the party, she responded, “You can call me whatever you want to call me.”

Murkowski expressed concern about the political climate under Trump’s leadership, particularly the pressure on GOP members to align with the administration’s demands. “It’s going to be hard in these next four years with Trump in the White House,” she said, describing the administration’s approach as one where “everybody toe the line.”

She added that senators who oppose Trump risk being targeted for primary challenges, citing Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) as an example of someone who could face retribution for not being “good enough.” Murkowski’s comments underscore her ongoing tension with the more hardline factions of her party, as she navigates her role in the Senate under a Trump-led GOP.