US Sen. Lisa Murkowski edged closer than ever to publicly considering a break with the Republican Party during a revealing interview over the weekend with Galen Druke, where she carefully but unmistakably left the door open to declaring herself an independent.
Pressed four times by the host on whether she would consider becoming unaffiliated with the GOP — particularly if Democrats gain three Senate seats in 2026 and shift the balance of power — Murkowski dodged a direct yes or no, but made it clear the idea isn’t out of the question.
“There may be that possibility,” she said when asked whether becoming unaligned or independent was a future she could imagine. Rather than dismiss the notion outright, Murkowski pointed to Alaska’s coalition-style governance as a model that transcends party labels.
“In Alaska, we’ve kind of embraced that as a governing style,” she said, referring to bipartisan coalitions in both chambers of the state Legislature. “Makes no difference if Republican or Democrat.”
The host, Galen Druke, sensing momentum, asked a third time. Murkowski smiled and acknowledged her evasiveness: “I’m evading your answer, of course, because it is so supremely hypothetical.” Still, she added, “It is not foreign to Alaskans.”
On the fourth and final attempt, Druke pushed: “It sounds like you’re saying yes.” Murkowski again gave no definitive answer, but did nothing to walk back her earlier comments — further fueling speculation about her political future.
The longtime senator, who survived a 2010 primary loss by mounting a write-in campaign, has long cultivated an image of independence. She was one of just seven Republican senators who voted to convict former President Donald Trump in 2021, and often clashes with her own party on issues ranging from reproductive rights to environmental policy. She is not welcome at Republican Party events anymore.
While Murkowski has not declared any formal shift in party affiliation, her carefully chosen words — and refusal to rule it out — will almost certainly keep the speculation alive. Her memoir-style book launched on Monday, and thus her interview schedule has picked up to shore up the sales.
If Democrats do gain ground in the Senate next year, Murkowski’s position as a swing vote could prove decisive. And should she formally leave the GOP, it would mark one of the most significant realignments in modern Senate history, and one likely to be welcomed by Democrats eager to solidify their majority.
She’s said this before, most recently on CNN in 2024. For now, Murkowski remains a Republican. But after Sunday’s interview, that label may be more a matter of convenience than conviction.
