JUNEAU (AP) — Alaska U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski ended the year with almost seven times the cash on hand as her chief Republican rival, Kelly Tshibaka, filings with the Federal Election Commission show.
Murkowski, who made official in November plans to seek reelection, reported bringing in nearly $1.4 million during the last quarter of the year and ending 2021 with about $4.3 million available. Tshibaka, who announced her plans to run last March, reported bringing in nearly $602,000 in the past quarter and ending the year with about $634,000 on hand.
Tshibaka, who formerly led the state Department of Administration under Gov. Mike Dunleavy, has been endorsed by former President Donald Trump and planned a fundraiser this month with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida. Tshibaka also has been endorsed by Alaska Republican party leaders.
“Having the strong backing of President Trump is incredibly important for Kelly Tshibaka’s campaign and is key to having the resources needed to defeat Lisa Murkowski,” Tim Murtaugh, an adviser to Tshibaka’s campaign, said in an email.
Murkowski was one of seven Republican senators who voted last year to convict Trump at his impeachment trial. He was acquitted of a charge of incitement of insurrection, related to the Jan. 6, 2021, storming of the U.S. Capitol.
Elections in Alaska this year will be held under a new system, narrowly approved by voters in 2020. There will be no party primaries; instead, there will be one ballot featuring all candidates. The top four vote-getters, regardless of party affiliation, will advance to the general election, in which ranked-choice voting will be used.
No Democrats have yet filed to run for the Senate seat held by Murkowski since 2002. The last day to file with the division as a candidate for the August primary is June 1.
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