JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) – United States Republican senator from Alaska Lisa Murkowski said on Tuesday that she knows that her vote to convict former President Donald Trump during his recent Senate impeachment trial could have political consequences, “but I can’t be afraid of that “.
If the Alaskan people decide that “because I did not support my party that I can no longer serve them in the United States Senate, then so be it,” Murkowski told reporters during a visit to the state capitol.
She also said that if the state Republican Party decides to censor her for her vote, “they can make that statement. But I will make the statement, again, that my obligation is to support the Constitution I promised to defend, and I will do so, even if it means that I have to oppose the direction of my state party. ”
The Alaska State Republican Party Central Committee earlier this month passed a resolution opposing the Senate’s impeachment trial as “debatable” and opposing a conviction. Glenn Clary, the party president, did not respond to messages on Tuesday, including whether the party is considering censoring Murkowski.
Murkowski was one of seven Republican senators who voted to condemn Trump, who was acquitted of the only charge of inciting insurrection related to the January 6 riot at the United States Capitol. Other Republicans who voted to condemn Trump, including Sens. Richard Burr of North Carolina and Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, were censored by party officials in their states.
Murkowski faces re-election next year. When asked if she planned to run, Murkowski said she is “doing what I should do to make sure I have that option and the opportunity to run for another term.” She said she is “absolutely leaving the avenues open for my re-election opportunities”.
Murkowski missed the 2010 primaries, but won the general election with a written campaign. Alaska voters approved in November an initiative that would eliminate the party’s primaries and implement the vote of choice for the general election. Under the initiative, primary candidates would appear on a ballot, with the first four voters advancing to the general election.
Murkowski said he has a history of being independent and going against his party and that the approval of the initiative did not “suddenly free me to be someone more daring, stronger or more aggressive. Absolutely, absolutely not. “
She said the Republican Party “was a very good party before Donald Trump, and I believe that we can be a good party after Donald Trump. At the moment, I think we’re still trying to find out who we are. Because if we are the party of just one man, and not the party of good and solid principles, then that is a challenge – certainly a challenge for me. ”
She said she remains a Republican, but not a “Republican Trump”.