Many of her coworkers believe that she is leaning towards a fourth term because of her fundraising and private comments to them, as well as her donors. Murkowski is however quiet about her plans.She said that I have not made my intentions public in a recent interview.She has a strong record if she chooses to run again. After losing her GOP primary to Joe Miller in 2010, the 64-year old moderate won a write in campaign. She was able to win a third term in 2016 by 15 points despite never having endorsed Trump. This time, she also has the support of the GOP establishment and they are in rare alignment against Trump.Murkowski, like several other Senate Republicans, is keeping her options open for 2022. Voting to confirm Justice Department No. 1 nominees, including Justice Department No. 2, was a vote of confidence. 3 Vanita Gopta and Interior Secretary Deb Haaland raised private suspicions among Republicans that she might be retiring.Trump's revenge campaign against Murkowski is a good example of how veteran Republicans can withstand his wrath as he weighs in on a range of congressional races. Murkowski's father was a senator who became a governor. His daughter was appointed to his old seat in 2002. Since 2002, she has been an integral part of the moderate wing of the party for almost 20 years.Murkowski's 2010 write-in campaign has become a legend. She'll be able to run next year due to recent changes in Alaskan elections, which include a top-four jungle primaries and the ability for voters to rank their choices during the general election.Sen. Kevin Cramer (R.N.D.), stated it best: "I want a Republican win in Alaska." It's pretty clear she is a winner, I believe.The most important thing for me is that we win, stated Sen. John Cornyn, (R-Texas). It is not clear to me if that is the most important thing for the former president.Senator John Cornyn takes the Senate floor. AP Photo/Alex BrandonIt is possible that Murkowski will run again and win, which could change the Senate's future. Murkowski, who is the most unpredictable Republican in this chamber, often tipped her hand on crucial votes, and aggravating both the parties at times.She is able to wear her heart on the sleeve in long, candid conversations with Capitol Press, after she voted against Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh or her February vote for impeach Trump. She can also remain silent for days before a difficult vote.She sits next to Sen. Susan Collins (R.Maine) on this floor. She is a leader of a moderate bloc which has played a crucial role in many major votes. The Alaskan is a key negotiator on a bipartisan infrastructure agreement and enjoys the possibility of making deals with President Joe Biden.Although she would probably not see any disadvantage in running as an independent candidate, Murkowski stated last month that it isn't on her radar. The Republican Party of which I am proud to be a member still exists. Sometimes, however, it seems that you have to look harder to find it.Murkowski's campaign has $1 million in reserve and has raised more than Tshibaka, $380,000 to $214,000 in quarter one. She may need more to offset the attention Trump will bring to her opponent. Tshibaka raised $214,000 in just days.Murkowski wants to show her close working relationship with Biden. However, Tshibaka uses her votes against Murkowski's home by voting for his nominees.Tshibaka's campaign didn't make Murkowski available for interview. Tshibaka's senior advisor Tim Murtaugh said that Murkowski has the support of Beltway insiders. Kelly Tshibaka proudly stands with President Trump and his supporters as well as the great people of Alaska.An earlier Change Research poll showed Murkowski trailing Tshibaka, and Democrat Al Gross. Al Gross lost to Senator Dan Sullivan (R–Alaska) last year. The Change Research poll is now open and Murkowski is looking at another run.Murkowski indicated that her thoughts are far away from the campaign trenches at the moment.I am doing what the [Alaskakans] asked me to do. That is, getting up each morning and working on issues that are important for Alaska. Murkowski stated that I am doing the right thing as any incumbent. Make sure you are ready. I'm diligent in this regard. It also means I am very busy.Given her tendency to rebel against the party, national Republicans, including Minority Leader Mitch McConnell are supporting Murkowski's campaign. Murkowski was supported by the Senate Leadership Fund, a McConnell-aligned super PAC.These moves are noteworthy because the seat is relatively safe to Republicans regardless of whether Murkowski runs again. The state has transformed its electoral system to a top-four jungle primaries, which protects Murkowski from losing a headto-head match with Tshibaka.It is not clear if Murkowski will be on the National Republican Senatorial Committee's mat, as Alaska is not a battleground. Senator Rick Scott (R.Fla.), the chair of the committee, said he supports Murkowski because he believes in supporting incumbents as per the bylaws. He said that he hasn't tried to persuade her to run again.Senator Rick Scott attends a news conference on the coronavirus relief legislation. Andrew Harnik/AP PhotoMurkowski has strong relationships with Democrats from Sen. Brian Schatz (D–Hawaii) and centrists like Sens. Jon Tester (D-Mont. Joe Manchin. Already, the West Virginian has stated that he will support Murkowski's campaign.Tester stated that Murkowski adds value to her work. She isn't unreasonable. Although we don't always agree, it is not unreasonable to disagree with our wife.Murkowski's institutional support is less from her home party. In April, several former state party chairpersons endorsed Tshibaka as the insurgent candidate signaling that she would be a shift towards the right.Tshibaka's main focus has been on cutting spending and attacking party establishment. A shot at Murkowskis appointment was taken by Frank, her father. Kelly believes that Alaska's Senate Seat should not be passed down as a family heirloom.Two ads she has run this month have also been airing on the airwaves. According to AdImpact data, Tshibaka has spent just $8,000 so far.Although there is still a substantial Trump bloc in the Senate Republican Conference, no one has yet sided with Murkowski. This is notable considering the hardliners within her party, led former Senator Jim DeMint (R.S.C.), which tried to expel her 11 years ago, after she lost her primary.Trumps supporters said that he will not be changing his promise to her, but at the very least. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said Trump has made his decision about Sen. Murkowski. It would be a waste of effort to dissuade.Remember that the former president had made a memorable promise to support any challenger to Murkowski a year back: "If you have a pulse, then I'm with You!"This report was contributed by Marianne LeVine and James Arkin.
