| − | '''Lisa Ann Murkowski''', born May 22, 1957 (age {{age|1957|5|22}}), is currently the senior [[United States]] [[U.S. Senator| Senator]] from [[Alaska]] and is member of the [[Republican Party]]. She is Alaska's first female senator and the first woman ever elected to either chamber of [[U.S. Congress|Congress]] from Alaska. In 1998, Murkowski was elected to the Alaska [[House of Representatives]] and had been elected the House Majority Leader for the 2003–2004 session. In December of 2002, her father, Governor [[Frank Murkowski]], appointed her to a seat in the United States Senate. Senator Murkowski was elected to a full six-year term in 2004. | + | '''Lisa Ann Murkowski''', born May 22, 1957 (age {{age|1957|5|22}}), is currently the senior [[United States]] [[U.S. Senator| Senator]] from [[Alaska]] and is member of the [[Republican Party]]. She is Alaska's first female senator and the first U.S. Senator born in Alaska. In 1998, Murkowski was elected to the Alaska [[House of Representatives]] and had been elected the House Majority Leader for the 2003–2004 session. In December of 2002, her father, Governor [[Frank Murkowski]], appointed her to a seat in the United States Senate, resulting in charges of nepotism. In her 2004 reelection she was considered the [[Democrat]]s best chance to pick up a seat from an incumbent Republican. However, Murkowski was elected to a full six year term by a 49%-46% margin. |
| − | Lisa Murkowski supports oil exploration in her home state of Alaska, saying that recent technological developments have reduced the environmental risks of drilling in ANWR. Murkowski has recieved a 14% rating from [[NARAL Pro-Choice America]], indicating a pro-life voting record although she describes herself as "[[pro-choice]]." She is also a member of several abortion rights groups such as The Republican Majority For Choice, Republicans For Choice and The Wish List. Murkowski voted to ban [[partial birth abortion]] and to make it a criminal penalty for harming an unborn fetus during other crimes. Murkowski likewise is a strong advocate of embryonic stem cell research. | + | Lisa Murkowski supports oil exploration in her home state of Alaska, saying that recent technological developments have reduced the environmental risks of drilling in ANWR. Murkowski has a reputation as a [[moderate Republican]]. She recieved a 14% rating from [[NARAL Pro-Choice America]], indicating a pro-life voting record although she describes herself as "[[pro-choice]]." She is also a member of several abortion rights groups such as The Republican Majority For Choice, Republicans For Choice and The Wish List. Murkowski voted to ban [[partial birth abortion]] and to make it a criminal penalty for harming an unborn fetus during other crimes. Murkowski likewise is a strong advocate of embryonic stem cell research. |
| | Murkowski is one of ten Republican Senators who refused to commit to Senate Majority Leader [[Bill Frist]]'s "nuclear option" to end judicial filibusters. | | Murkowski is one of ten Republican Senators who refused to commit to Senate Majority Leader [[Bill Frist]]'s "nuclear option" to end judicial filibusters. |