Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska says she’s open to leaving the GOP and possibly caucusing with Democrats, depending on the outcome of the next election.
In a new interview with journalist Galen Druke, host of the GD POLITICS podcast, Murkowski acknowledged that if Democrats gain three seats in the upcoming midterms, it could prompt her to reconsider her political alignment.
“There may be that possibility,” Murkowski said when asked if she would consider becoming an independent and caucusing with Democrats. She added, “There is some openness to exploring something different than the status quo.”
The senator’s comments, previewed ahead of a full podcast episode set to release on the GD POLITICS feed, come as the ideological divide in Congress continues to widen—and as Murkowski has increasingly found herself at odds with the Republican mainstream. She was one of only a few Senate Republicans who voted to convict former President Donald Trump after his impeachment trials and has frequently emphasized bipartisanship and institutional reform.
If she were to make the switch, Murkowski would join Senators Bernie Sanders and Angus King as independents who align with Democrats for committee assignments and legislative purposes. Her decision could also hold outsized significance if Democrats are just shy of a majority and her affiliation becomes decisive.
While Murkowski has not committed to any specific action, her remarks signal that she is at least weighing her options in a rapidly shifting political environment.
