Lisa Murkowski Write-In Bid Decision: Alaska Senator Announces Run [UPDATE]

BECKY BOHRER |
09/17/10 11:02 PM |
AP

JUNEAU, Alaska — U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, who lost Alaska's GOP primary last month in a stunning upset to a tea-party backed rival, announced Friday that she's mounting a write-in candidacy in a bid to hold onto her job.

Murkowksi told supporters at a late afternoon rally in Anchorage that Alaskans have told her they're worried about Republican nominee Joe Miller's extremist views and concerned about the Democratic candidate's inexperience.

The decision follows Miller's surprise win in last month's primary. Murkowski acknowledged she made mistakes during that campaign, but promised she'll be more aggressive this time in running against Miller.

"The gloves are off," she said.

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin urged Murkowski on Twitter Friday afternoon to recognize that the state's primary voters demonstrated their support for Miller, a tea party favorite.

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