Sen. Lisa Murkowski, reelected in November to represent Alaska in the U.S. Senate, swore her oath of office today in Washington, D.C.
“I’m humbled to take the Oath of Office to continue representing the state I love, and ready to get back to work on Alaskans’ behalf. I thank Alaskans for their support and the trust they have placed in me, and will do my absolute best to represent all who live in the 49th state,” she wrote.
Murkowski was appointed by her father Sen. Frank Murkowski in 2002 to finish out the term for him, as he had been elected governor for Alaska. She has fended off competition ever since, including running a successful write-in campaign against Republican Party nominee Joe Miller in 2010.
A Republican, Murkowski benefitted from Ballot Measure 2, passed by voters in 2020, which enabled her to avoid a Republican primary. Although the Alaska Democratic Party advanced a candidate, many Democrats voted for Murkowski, as they have also done in her past elections.
Murkowski is 15th in seniority in the Senate and sixth among Republicans. She is expected to maintain her position as vice chair of the Indian Affairs Committee and as a senior member on the Appropriations Committee, as well as Energy and Natural Resources, and Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committees.
Sen. Frank Murkowski and many members of Lisa Murkowski’s family were present in the U.S. Capitol for her swearing in today.
Senate Democrats today voted for Washington’s Democratic Sen. Patty Murray as first woman to serve as Senate President Pro Tempore: The head of the Senate. She will probably chair the Senate Appropriations Committee.
