Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) said she has “considered” joining the Senate Democratic caucus but expressed doubts about the move, citing significant policy differences and skepticism that Democrats are significantly better than Republicans.
Murkowski, seen as a key vote on the Republican legislative package expected on the Senate floor this week, has voiced frustration with the two-party system. In a recent podcast interview, she said she may explore becoming an independent while continuing to align with Democrats on certain major issues.
“I would be not being honest with you if I said I’ve never been asked … ‘Why don’t you switch?’ Or people have said, ‘You should switch,’” Murkowski said in a recent interview with Semafor ahead of the release of her new book, “Far from Home: An Alaskan Senator Faces the Extreme Climate of Washington, D.C.”
Murkowski acknowledged she has thought about switching to the Democratic Party but gave no indication she is close to making such a move, which would carry significant implications for the balance of power in the Senate.
