GOP's Murkowski and Democrat Peltola endorse each other in Alaska races
Sen. Lisa Murkowski outside the Senate Chamber on Capitol Hill. Photo: Joshua Roberts/Getty Images
Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski and Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola endorsed each other in their Alaska races ahead of next month's midterm elections.
The big picture: The longtime friends' announcement that they'll vote for each other in the state's ranked choice voting system comes as both face Trump-backed candidates in tight races.
Zoom in: Murkowski is seeking re-election and faces a challenge from the Trump-backed Republican candidate Kelly Tshibaka.
- Pelota is seeking a full term after defeating Sarah Palin, the former governor of Alaska and vice presidential candidate, in an August special election. She'll face off against the Trump-endorsed Republican and other challengers next month.
Driving the news: Murkowski at an event Friday praised Pelota, the first Alaska Native congressional member in U.S. history and the first woman to hold the seat.
- She confirmed to the Anchorage Daily News afterward she would rank Pelota first under Alaska's ranked choice voting system.
What they're saying: Peltola responded to Murkowski's comments by saying "I'm voting for her, so we're even-steven," the Washington Post reports.
By the numbers: Alaska Survey Research on Monday released a poll of 1,276 likely voters showing Pelota had a 52% positive rating compared to 33% for Palin, per WashPost.
- Republican Nick Begich had 32%.
Meanwhile, Murkowski's positive rating was 44%, compared with Tshibaka, who was at 34%.