In Alaska, Lisa Murkowski won in 2004 … in a frontier political brawl.
Senator Murkowski was a star in the Alaska legislature. She had been named Senate Republican Leader. When it came time for Governor Frank Murkowski to name a replacement for his vacated U.S. Senate seat, he chose the most qualified Republican he could find … Lisa.
But the political wolves attacked. The Democrats made nepotism the issue, considering the race to be their best chance at a Senate “pick-up” in 2004.
They nominated popular former governor Tony Knowles and poured a ton of money into Alaska. Many political pundits predicted a Knowles victory.
But they underestimated the fight in this tough Alaskan.
MMH launched a bio campaign showing how Lisa had taken ownership on issues like ANWR and the gas pipeline, and how she had become an important member of Alaska’s “team,” with Senator Ted Stevens and Congressman Don Young.
Senator Murkowski ran on her strong record and came from behind to win Alaska’s most competitive Senate race in decades, 49-46.
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