Family Affair In Alaska

Former Sen. Frank Murkowski on Friday appointed his daughter, Republican state Rep. Lisa Murkowski, to serve the remaining two years of his term in the U.S. Senate.

Murkowski, who spent 22 years as a senator, resigned Dec. 2 when he was sworn in as Alaska's governor. As governor, he had the authority to appoint his successor in the Senate.

Lisa Murkowski, a 45-year-old lawyer and mother of two, was re-elected last month to a third term in the Alaska Legislature and had been selected as House Majority leader.

She called her appointment to finish her father's Senate term an incredible and awesome responsibility.

"We have a great deal in common besides sharing a name," she said Friday. "We share the same vision for the state. We share the same values."
The governor said he chose his daughter because he wanted someone with legislative experience who could get things done in Washington and begin a new generation of Alaskans building seniority in Congress.

"In some ways, this is probably one of the most important decisions I will make as your governor, recognizing this responsibility, I've reached out to Alaskans from all over the state," he said.

"Above all, I felt the person I appoint to the remaining two years of my term should be someone who shares my basic philosophy, my values, but particularly one who shares on the issues of Alaska matters that are before us."

Lisa Murkowski received her bachelor's degree in economics from Georgetown University and law degree from Willamette College of Law. She worked as district attorney in Anchorage from 1987 to 1989 and has worked in private practice.

"I'm committed to filling the big shoes you've left behind and working closely with Ted (Sen. Ted Stevens) and Don (Rep. Don Young) as part of the Alaskan team," she said. "The Stevens, Murkowski, Young team — I guess we don't need to change the name there — has produced great results for our state for well over 20 years now."