Alaska's Murkowski Backs Democratic Governor, Prompting Republican Rival to Call Him a Peer

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, just crossed party lines to back Democratic gubernatorial contender Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins. Alaska Republican candidate Bernadette Wilson says she is not shocked. She told Fox News Digital that the two share similar views on taxation and the state's oil industry.

"They're two peas in a pod," Wilson stated. "And I can tell you that as governor."

Wilson accused Kreiss-Tomkins of championing higher income taxes and doubling fuel costs. She noted he has threatened to go after oil companies. He also opposes paying out the full permanent fund dividend.

During an August forum hosted by the Alaska Oil and Gas Association, Kreiss-Tomkins argued that broad-based taxes are necessary to balance the budget. Wilson labeled these economic policies as "socialist." She claims she has warned about Murkowski's "extreme liberal socialist" positions since 2010.

The timing is suspicious. President Donald Trump endorsed Wilson on Oct. 13. Days later, Murkowski announced her support for Kreiss-Tomkins. Wilson did not rule out the idea that this endorsement serves as a rebuke to Trump.

Murkowski has clashed with several of Trump's legislative priorities in the 119th Congress. She opposed the SAVE America Act, which would add proof-of-citizenship requirements for voter registration. In a July Wall Street Journal op-ed, she wrote that the bill would impose costly barriers and prevent many from voting.

In January, Murkowski joined Senate Democrats in voting for the War Powers Resolution. The measure failed, but it could have limited Trump's ability to take military action against Iran. The president reacted on Truth Social, stating Murkowski "should never be elected to office again."

If Wilson wins the governor's seat, she vows to keep sounding the alarm about her colleague. She calls Murkowski a "so-called Republican senator" with "absolutely terrible" political positions.

Neither Murkowski nor Kreiss-Tomkins responded to Fox News Digital requests for comment.