JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) – Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski faces a familiar opponent in her latest re-election bid: Joe Miller, who challenged the Alaska senator six years ago in a historic, roller-coaster race.
Miller, then a political novice, upset Murkowski in the 2010 primary only to see her win the general election with a longshot write-in campaign. It was the first time a U.S. senator had won as a write-in candidate since 1954.
This year’s race has been less dramatic, with recent polls showing Murkowski with a big lead over a crowded field. A number of political observers consider her the overwhelming favorite, noting her organization, deep campaign coffers and name recognition.
Still, Murkowski is taking nothing for granted. She has been crisscrossing Alaska, playing up her seniority and reputation as a moderate and running issues-focused ads.
“I sit down with the Republicans. I sit down with the Democrats. And I work,’’ she told reporters at her Juneau campaign office.
Murkowski irked some Republicans in denouncing Donald Trump after a 2005 video of him making lewd comments about women surfaced.
Pollster Ivan Moore said the benefit of speaking against Trump is greater than the cost since Murkowski draws support from across the political spectrum. But some Trump supporters may see it as the last straw and back Miller, he said.
Former U.S. Sen. Mark Begich, a Democrat, noted that in a year marked by polarizing presidential candidates and questions of voter turnout, a level of unpredictability remains. “The dynamics are different than I’ve ever seen in the politics in Alaska,’’ he said.
Miller entered the race last month as a last-minute substitution on the Libertarian ticket.
Several Republican party officials resigned leadership posts to publicly support him. Democrats courted one of the independents in the race, immigration attorney Margaret Stock, but faltered in getting her on their primary ballot.
The eventual Democratic nominee, Ray Metcalfe, has feuded with party leaders who have done little to advocate his candidacy.
Miller believes he has a strong chance, citing a level of excitement he hasn’t seen in previous runs. He also unsuccessfully ran in 2014.
“It’s the grassroots versus the ruling class,’’ Miller said. “That’s basically what this boils down to.’’
Miller said he skipped the GOP primary feeling assured that former Anchorage Mayor Dan Sullivan _ no relation to Alaska’s other senator of the same name _ would challenge Murkowski. But Sullivan quit the race soon after the candidate filing deadline.
When Libertarian candidate Cean Stevens withdrew, Miller saw an opportunity to provide “constitution-loving, limited-government Alaskans’’ an alternative. He changed his party affiliation to run and said his beliefs fit with the Libertarian platform.
Scott Kohlhaas, a former Libertarian party chairman, said Miller and much of the party’s leadership are too conservative. But another prominent Libertarian, Mark Fish, thinks Miller will be good for the party.
Ron Johnson, who resigned his GOP post to back Miller, is anti-abortion and opposes gay marriage. He worries the GOP has strayed from its conservative principles and said Miller shares his values, “Republican values.’’
Johnson said people are frustrated.
“I think that Joe can bring together a lot of the fringe,’’ he said. “Now whether it’s enough to get him elected? I hope so.’’
Murkowski said she didn’t expect Miller to “find a flag of convenience’’ to enter the general election.
One of her biggest concerns is whether the nasty presidential race will turn off voters and keep them at home. Her message to supporters: “Please, please get out there.’’
Trish Mack of Anchorage says she is sick of the presidential race but plans to vote. She’s concerned about rising health care and insurance costs.
The politically unaffiliated Mack is leaning toward Murkowski, seeing her as someone willing to listen and help. She didn’t know who else was running besides Miller.
Congress must get its act together, Mack said.
While one person can make a difference, “one person can’t pull a string and fix it,’’ she said. “Everybody’s got to get their heads together on this one.’’
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