Why Sarah Palin is probably serious about challenging GOP Sen. Lisa Murkowski


Sarah Palin is back, and she's coming for Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska).
On Friday, the Republican senator affirmed she'd vote against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, saying she made her decision based on "issues ... bigger than a nominee." Sen. Susan Collins' (R-Maine) support for the nominee quickly negated Murkowski's "no" vote, but one vice presidential hopeful turned reality show star wasn't about to let it go.
Palin's tweet looks like a succinct suggestion that she'll challenge Murkowski when she's up for re-election in four years. It's not hard to imagine, either, because the senator and the ex-governor have history. Palin is the woman who, in 2006, defeated Murkowski's father in a Republican primary to become the first female governor of Alaska. Frank Murkowski had served just one term as governor after a long stint in the Senate, though he actually appointed his daughter to fill his seat when he won the governorship in 2002.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Lisa Murkowski has remained in the Senate ever since, even losing the GOP primary in 2010 only to win re-election as a write-in candidate. So Palin, despite definitely having a few more canceled TV shows under her belt, is going to have to bring it.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Kathryn is a graduate of Syracuse University, with degrees in magazine journalism and information technology, along with hours to earn another degree after working at SU's independent paper The Daily Orange. She's currently recovering from a horse addiction while living in New York City, and likes to share her extremely dry sense of humor on Twitter.
-
The Roses: Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch star in black comedy reboot
The Week Recommends 'Acidly enjoyable' remake of the 1980s classic features a warring couple and toxic love
-
Why reports of Donald Trump's demise are greatly exaggerated
In The Spotlight US president has once again brushed aside rumours that he's dead
-
Lose yourself in these magnificent mazes
The Week Recommends These fiendishly clever puzzles aren't just for kids
-
US kills 11 on 'drug-carrying boat' off Venezuela
Speed Read Trump claimed those killed in the strike were 'positively identified Tren de Aragua Narcoterrorists' shipping drugs to the US
-
Trump vows to send federal forces to Chicago, Baltimore
Speed Read The announcement followed a California judge ruling that Trump's LA troop deployment was illegal
-
Trump crypto token launch earns family billions
Speed Read The World Liberty Financial token is now the Trump family's 'most valuable asset'
-
RFK Jr. names new CDC head as staff revolt
Speed Read Kennedy installed his deputy, Jim O'Neill, as acting CDC director
-
DC prosecutors lose bid to indict sandwich thrower
Speed Read Prosecutors sought to charge Sean Dunn with assaulting a federal officer
-
White House fires new CDC head amid agency exodus
Speed Read CDC Director Susan Monarez was ousted after butting heads with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over vaccines
-
DOGE put Social Security data at risk, official says
Speed Read DOGE workers made the personal information of hundreds of millions of Americans vulnerable to identity theft
-
Court rejects Trump suit against Maryland US judges
Speed Read Judge Thomas Cullen, a Trump appointee, said the executive branch had no authority to sue the judges