Trump-backed GOP candidate Kelly Tshibaka has been defeated by incumbent Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski in Alaska’s U.S. Senate race.
“Thank you, Alaska. It is an honor to be able to work with Alaskans, regardless of their backgrounds or party affiliations. Murkowski tweeted Wednesday, “I look forward to continuing our important work.”
Tshibaka stated that “It is clear from the ranked vote tabulations that Sen. Lisa Murkowski was re-elected, which I congratulate,” she said in a statement. Many Alaskans have found the new electoral system frustrating. It was clearly designed to protect incumbents and it clearly worked as it was intended.
Murkowski won the ranked choice contest after no candidate had received more than 50% of votes based on first-choice votes.
Murkowski was among the three GOP senators that voted to confirm Ketanji brown Jackson’s appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Trump endorsed Tshibaka with a loud endorsement last year. However, he previously stated that he would support anyone who had a pulse and chose to run against Murkowski.
