{"id":2533722,"date":"2026-01-12T14:32:02","date_gmt":"2026-01-12T19:32:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/peltola-campaign-puts-murkowski-in-tough-endorsement-spot\/"},"modified":"2026-01-12T14:34:20","modified_gmt":"2026-01-12T19:34:20","slug":"peltola-campaign-puts-murkowski-in-tough-endorsement-spot","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/peltola-campaign-puts-murkowski-in-tough-endorsement-spot\/","title":{"rendered":"Peltola campaign puts Murkowski in tough endorsement spot"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">16<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fpeltola-campaign-puts-murkowski-in-tough-endorsement-spot%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2533722&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Sen.Lisa Murkowski announced she will back fellow Republican sen. Dan Sullivan for re-election in 2026, a decision that puts her at odds with her <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >prior cross-party endorsements<\/a> of Democrat Mary Peltola. Peltola launched a Senate bid Monday after being recruited by Senate Democratic leaders, who view the former <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/parents-accuse-the-flash-star-ezra-miller-of-using-cult-like-tactics-to-groom-their-daughter-beginning-at-the-age-of-12\/\" title=\"Parents Accuse the Flash Star Ezra Miller of Using \u201cCult-Like\u201d Tactics to Groom Their Daughter Beginning at the Age of 12\">tribal court judge<\/a> and Alaska Native &#8211; the first Alaska Native woman elected to the state&#8217;s at-large house seat &#8211; as a strong, popular candidate focused on affordability and putting &#8220;Alaska first.&#8221; Murkowski saeid her Sullivan endorsement was driven by keeping Republicans in the Senate, tho she has previously praised Peltola&#8217;s independence and service to Alaskans. Republicans have already attacked Peltola through NRSC and Senate Leadership Fund ads, while Sullivan, a two-term senator first elected in 2014, enters the race with an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/kari-lake-raises-record-haul-at-mar-a-lago-fundraiser\/\" title=\"Kari Lake sets new fundraising record at Mar-a-Lago event\">incumbent record<\/a>; Peltola lost her 2024 House re-election to Rep. Nick Begich. Neither Murkowski nor Peltola responded to the Washington Examiner&#8217;s requests for comment.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Peltola campaign puts Murkowski in tough endorsement spot<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2470934\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/lisa-murkowski\/\">Lisa Murkowski<\/a> (R-AK) endorsed her seatmate, Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/dan-sullivan\/\">Dan Sullivan<\/a> (R-AK), in a bold departure from her previous close relationship and past cross-party endorsements of former Democratic Alaska Rep. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/mary-peltola\/\">Mary Peltola<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Peltola <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/4414404\/mary-peltola-announces-run-senate-recruiting-win-democrats\/\">launched her electoral comeback bid<\/a> on Monday morning, placing Murkowski in a difficult position between supporting her fellow GOP Alaskan senator or sticking by her <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ron-desantis-grabs-35-new-endorsements-from-south-carolina-politicians\/\" title=\"Ron DeSantis secures 35 fresh endorsements from SC politicians.\">previous endorsements<\/a> of Peltola. Murkowski made headlines in 2022 and 2024 for <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/331588\/murkowski-and-peltola-buck-party-lines-to-endorse-each-other-against-trump-backed-challengers\/\">bucking her party and supporting Peltola<\/a>&lsquo;s House campaigns.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/4414854\/house-administration-committee-bill-ban-congressional-stock-trading\/\">House Administration Committee to mark up bill banning congressional stock trading<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4414430\/john-cornyn-out-fundraises-himself-battles-tough-texas-primary-ken-paxton-wesley-hunt\/\">Cornyn out-fundraises himself as he battles in tough Texas primary<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/4414404\/mary-peltola-announces-run-senate-recruiting-win-democrats\/\">Mary Peltola announces run for Senate in recruiting win for Democrats<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Murkowski told Alaska Public Media that she is backing Sullivan in 2026.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We want to figure out how we&rsquo;re going to keep in the majority,&rdquo; Murkowski <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/lruskin\/status\/2010704140029084157?s=20\">said<\/a>. &ldquo;And Dan delivers that.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Murkowski previously told the <em>Alaska Beacon<\/em> in 2024 that she had &ldquo;great respect and admiration for&rdquo; Peltola, calling the moderate Democrat her &ldquo;friend.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I think she has done a good job for all Alaskans. I admire her ability to stand up to the different political forces that are out there and just be guided by her own sense of what is right for Alaska,&rdquo; Murkowski <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/alaskabeacon.com\/2024\/10\/25\/republican-sen-lisa-murkowski-again-endorses-democratic-rep-mary-peltola\/\">said <\/a>of Peltola in 2024.<\/p>\n<p>Murkowski&rsquo;s endorsement of Sullivan comes as Senate Minority Leader <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/chuck-schumer\/\">Chuck Schumer<\/a> (D-NY) and Democratic leadership secured a morale-boosting win with Peltola&rsquo;s bid. Schumer made a significant <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3500509\/schumer-scores-top-2026-senate-recruits-democrats\/\">recruitment push for Peltola<\/a> to challenge Sullivan and got his wish on Monday morning.<\/p>\n<p>Peltola, who was the first Alaska Native American and woman elected to the state&rsquo;s at-large House seat, is seen as a popular candidate among Alaskans by Democratic leadership. Peltola, a former tribal court judge for the Bethel tribe and fishing enthusiast, said she is running to put &ldquo;Alaska first,&rdquo; with an announcement video focused on textbook 2026 affordability matters.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Systemic change is the only way to bring down grocery costs, save our fisheries, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/exclusive-reps-ted-budd-stephanie-bice-propose-blocking-national-petroleum-reserve-sales-until-biden-stops-assault-on-oil-development\/\" title=\"Exclusive - ...s. Ted Budd, Stephanie Bice Propose Blocking National Petroleum Reserve Sales Until Biden Stops Assault on Oil Development\">lower energy prices<\/a>, and build new housing Alaskans can afford,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s about time Alaskans teach the rest of the country what Alaska first, and really America first, looks like.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>However, the National Republican Senatorial Committee has already blasted Peltola as a radical leftist in a new 45-second ad.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;After voters rejected Mary Peltola&rsquo;s record pushing radical transgender policies and protecting Joe Biden&rsquo;s relentless attacks on Alaska energy, she immediately cashed out to lobby for special interests,&rdquo; NRSC Regional press secretary Nick Puglia said in a statement. &ldquo;Voters trust Dan Sullivan to keep fighting for the Alaskan comeback and will reject Peltola again.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The Senate Leadership Fund, which works to support a GOP majority in the Senate, also hit Peltola as someone who &ldquo;repeatedly voted against American energy independence, secure borders, and the Alaskan way of life.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Sullivan has served two terms in the Senate, representing Alaska since 2014. Sullivan won his most recent election in 2020 by over 12 percentage points, defeating his Democratic opponent, Dr. Al Gross.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/4414404\/mary-peltola-announces-run-senate-recruiting-win-democrats\/\">MARY PELTOLA ANNOUNCES RUN FOR SENATE IN RECRUITING WIN FOR DEMOCRATS<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Peltola lost her reelection campaign for the House in 2024, falling to her opponent, Rep. Nick Begich (R-AK), by about 2.4 points.<\/p>\n<p>Neither Murkowski nor Peltola&rsquo;s teams responded to the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>&lsquo;s requests for comment.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Murkowski backs Sullivan, faces Peltola dilemma<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3976,"featured_media":2533723,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Lisa-Murkowski-June-2025-scaled.webp?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[43451,70712,70711,53651,36939],"class_list":["post-2533722","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner","tag-alaska-politics","tag-alaska-senate-race","tag-endorsement-dilemma","tag-lisa-murkowski","tag-mary-peltola"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Lisa-Murkowski-June-2025-scaled.webp?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2533722","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3976"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2533722"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2533722\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2533726,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2533722\/revisions\/2533726"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2533723"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2533722"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2533722"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2533722"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}