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.
It always was a flag of convenience for her she’s just trying for a payoff to raise what are her true colors if she has any core be!iefs, other than lining her own pockets an Spending!! Spending!! Spending!!! Of Other Peoples Money she’s an OPM addict!
Those that are unaware of this intent, raise your hand. Who among us registrar any shock.
There are titles that exist for souls such as the “Princess’s”.That they do, yes they do.
Cheers
It has been abundantly clear since at least 2010 that she has no allegiance whatsoever with the Republican Party and has been a politician of fortune, ebbing and flowing with the tides that fit her personal benefit. Why the Republican Party, at any level (state or national) has allowed her to play this game so openly is beyond me. I have to wonder, if the 17th Amendment had been repealed, would this kind of political adventurism be occurring, but the “coalitions” that the Alaska Legislature is so famous for over the past 40 or so years makes me realize that she’s just a symptom of our problem, not the parasitic host of the disease.
Murkowski hasn’t been a Republican for a long time.
I feel sorry for her soul.
When a person lies to get ahead, nothing good can come out of that action
She is NOT a Republican!!!
She has never been a Republican and she can’t be trusted to ever tell the truth about anything.
Don’t let the door hit you where the good lord split ya!
Murkowski was a femocrat from birth
VA swamp beast. Knows nothing about life in AK
Shows up to collect dark money influence peddling funds from #TribesThatBribe
Owned and controlled by the CCP
LOL…..Lisa was always our little Democrat daughter. We figured our royal family would face real turmoil if we outed her early, so instead, we just called her our Little Rasputin. But now, 22 years after her appointment, we end up in real turmoil. And her little book is only making it worse.
All about her and her money! Just leave we don’t want you!
Arland Spector Republican Senator from Pennsylvania switched parties in 2009. He lost the Democrat Primary in 2010. After that he was done, nobody wants a SELLOUT, BACKSTABBER. She cannot win an Election as a Democrat, and her Republican voters will not support her anymore. It will probably be Downhill for the rest of her term, and no one will trust her in 2028. No one can trust her now. Lisa and Lin Cheney can feed squirrels from D.C. Park bench..
Her track record doesn’t lend itself to a successful result. Long past time to replace her with a much better representative (ie: Kelly-T).
She cannot leave soon enough but Princess was never really here was she?
I’ve not had an opportunity to comment very often in recent months. Business has never been better, with having to add multiple staff psychiatrists to deal with the onslaught of new TDS inpatients (Trump Derangement Syndrome).
I’ve been quietly working on my own book about the psychiatric decline of America since the arrival of Donald J. Trump on the political scene.
I’ve also written a full chapter on Lisa Murkowski and how her own diminished mental health has
taken a toll on her and her family. There’s a lot of material on Senator Murkowski, which can be aligned directly to her cross-polar schizophrenia, coupled with her own timidity and destabilized confidence. Her psychological profile is worthy of indepth coverage because its unlike anything I’ve ever seen in a politician. Lisa Murkowski’s personality is one of a kind. I think you’ll enjoy my analysis of her. I think you’ll enjoy my book.
She followed her mentor Sen Ted Stevens was he not a Republican
Lisa Murkowski
The emperor with no clothes…
I keep asking Fish and Game to open a RINO season in Alaska.
It is long overdue, as the state’s RINO population continues to explode. Led of course by their matriarch Lisa, whose trunk always swings left.