Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Lisa Murkowski

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Lisa Murkowski made an impact.

Lisa Murkowski is an American attorney and politician who has served as a U.S. Senator for Alaska since 2002. She is the first woman to represent Alaska in the Senate and holds the position of the Senate's second-most senior Republican woman. Following Don Young's death, Murkowski became the dean of Alaska's congressional delegation. She is known for her moderate Republican stance and has at times been a crucial swing vote in the Senate.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1980: Graduated from Georgetown University

In 1980, Lisa Murkowski earned a B.A. degree in economics from Georgetown University. Also in 1980, her father was elected to the U.S. Senate and she represented Alaska as the Cherry Blossom Princess.

1987: Attorney in Anchorage District Court

From 1987, Lisa Murkowski worked as an attorney in the Anchorage District Court Clerk's office, beginning her legal career.

1989: Entered Private Legal Practice

In 1989, Lisa Murkowski transitioned to private legal practice in Anchorage, expanding her professional experience.

1990: Served on Mayor's Task Force for the Homeless

From 1990, Lisa Murkowski served on the Mayor's Task Force for the Homeless, contributing to local community efforts.

1991: End of Service on Mayor's Task Force for the Homeless

In 1991, Lisa Murkowski finished serving on the Mayor's Task Force for the Homeless.

1998: End of Private Practice

In 1998, Lisa Murkowski ended her work as an attorney in private practice in Anchorage.

1998: Elected to Alaska House of Representatives

In 1998, Lisa Murkowski was elected to the Alaska House of Representatives, marking a significant step in her political career.

1999: Member of Alaska House of Representatives

In 1999, Lisa Murkowski became a member of the Alaska House of Representatives, marking an early stage in her political career.

1999: Introduced Legislation for Joint Armed Services Committee

In 1999, Lisa Murkowski introduced legislation to establish a Joint Armed Services Committee.

2000: Re-elected to Alaska House of Representatives

In 2000, Lisa Murkowski was re-elected to the Alaska House of Representatives, continuing her service.

December 2002: Appointed to U.S. Senate

In December 2002, Lisa Murkowski was appointed by her father, Governor Frank Murkowski, to fill his U.S. Senate seat after he resigned to become governor. This appointment was seen as nepotism and caused considerable controversy.

2002: Became Senator of Alaska

In 2002, Lisa Murkowski became the senior United States Senator from Alaska. She is the first woman to represent Alaska in the Senate and became dean of Alaska's congressional delegation.

2002: Re-elected to Alaska House of Representatives, Faced Primary Challenge

In 2002, Lisa Murkowski was re-elected to the Alaska House of Representatives. That year, she faced a primary challenge from Nancy Dahlstrom, but won by 56 votes.

January 7, 2003: Sworn in to U.S. Senate

On January 7, 2003, Lisa Murkowski was sworn in as a U.S. Senator, marking her entry into the Senate.

2003: Named House Majority Leader

In 2003, Lisa Murkowski was named as House Majority Leader for the 2003–04 legislative session.

2004: Elected to Full Senate Term

In 2004, Lisa Murkowski ran for and won a full term in the Senate with 48% of the vote, solidifying her position.

2004: Won 48.6% of the vote

In 2004, Lisa Murkowski secured 48.6% of the vote in her Senate election, demonstrating her electoral performance.

2004: Won Full Senate Term Against Tony Knowles

In 2004, Lisa Murkowski won a full Senate term against former Governor Tony Knowles after a primary challenge. Her victory came after a close race and support from Senator Ted Stevens, who claimed Alaska would receive fewer federal dollars if a Democrat replaced Murkowski.

January 2005: End of First Senate Term

In January 2005, Lisa Murkowski completed her father's unexpired Senate term. She was the first Alaskan-born member of Congress.

2008: Murkowski Amended Financial Disclosures

In 2008, Lisa Murkowski amended her Senate financial disclosures for the years 2004 through 2006. She added income of $60,000 per year from the sale of a property in 2003, and more than $40,000 a year from the sale of her "Alaska Pasta Company" in 2005.

2009: Vice Chair of Senate Republican Conference

From 2009, Lisa Murkowski served as the vice chair of the Senate Republican Conference, taking on a leadership role within the party.

August 24, 2010: Trailed in Republican Primary Election

On August 24, 2010, Lisa Murkowski trailed Joe Miller in the Republican Party primary election. Initial results showed her behind, with absentee ballots yet to be tallied.

August 29, 2010: Libertarian Party Declined Murkowski as Nominee

On August 29, 2010, the state Libertarian Party executive board voted not to consider Lisa Murkowski as its Senate nominee after she considered running as a Libertarian in the general election.

September 17, 2010: Announced Write-In Campaign

On September 17, 2010, Lisa Murkowski announced she would mount a write-in campaign for the Senate seat. Her campaign received substantial funding from state teachers' and firefighters' unions, Native corporations, and PACs.

November 17, 2010: Won Write-In Campaign

On November 17, 2010, the Associated Press reported that Lisa Murkowski had become only the second Senate candidate to win a write-in campaign, overcoming Miller after a two-week count of write-in ballots.

December 10, 2010: Miller's Case Dismissed

On December 10, 2010, an Alaskan judge dismissed Joe Miller's case, clearing the way for Lisa Murkowski's certification as the winner of the election.

2010: Lost Republican Primary, Won as Write-In Candidate

In 2010, Lisa Murkowski lost the Republican primary to Joe Miller but ran as a write-in candidate, ultimately defeating both Miller and Democrat Scott McAdams in the general election.

2010: Won 39.5% of the vote

In 2010, Lisa Murkowski secured 39.5% of the vote in her Senate election, reflecting a challenging electoral contest.

2010: Considered More Moderate

Since Lisa Murkowski's reelection in 2010, some have considered her voting record "more moderate" than her previous years in the Senate.

2013: Voted with Obama's position

In 2013, Lisa Murkowski voted with President Barack Obama's position 72.3% of the time, indicating her moderate stance.

2015: Chair of Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee

From 2015, Lisa Murkowski served as the chair of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, influencing energy policy.

2016: Won 44.4% of the vote

In 2016, Lisa Murkowski secured 44.4% of the vote in her Senate election, marking her continued presence in the Senate.

2016: Re-elected to the Senate

In 2016, Lisa Murkowski was re-elected to the Senate after securing the Republican Party nomination. The election was notable for featuring a Libertarian nominee (Joe Miller) who endorsed Donald Trump, while Murkowski did not.

2017: Filed to Run for Fourth Term

In 2017, Lisa Murkowski filed to run for a fourth term in 2022.

2018: Opposed Brett Kavanaugh's Supreme Court Nomination

In 2018, Lisa Murkowski opposed Brett Kavanaugh's Supreme Court nomination, highlighting her independent stance on judicial appointments.

2018: Opposed Kavanaugh Confirmation

In 2018, Lisa Murkowski stated her opposition to the confirmation of Justice Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court of the United States but voted "present" as a favor to Senator Steve Daines.

March 2019: Op-ed on Climate Change Debate

In March 2019, Lisa Murkowski and Joe Manchin co-authored an op-ed for The Washington Post, advocating for reasonable climate change policies.

June 2020: Trump Pledged to Support Murkowski Challenger

In June 2020, former President Donald Trump pledged to support a Republican challenger to Lisa Murkowski due to her opposition to some of his initiatives.

2020: Voted to Confirm Amy Coney Barrett

In 2020, Lisa Murkowski voted against procedural motions to accelerate Amy Coney Barrett's confirmation to the Supreme court, though she later voted to confirm Barrett.

February 2021: Voted to Convict Trump in Impeachment Trial

In February 2021, Lisa Murkowski was one of seven Republican senators who voted to convict Donald Trump in his second impeachment trial, leading to censure by Alaska's GOP.

June 18, 2021: Trump Endorsed Kelly Tshibaka

On June 18, 2021, Donald Trump endorsed Kelly Tshibaka for the Senate in 2022, calling her "MAGA all the way".

July 10, 2021: Alaska Republican Party Endorsed Tshibaka

On July 10, 2021, the Alaska Republican Party endorsed Kelly Tshibaka, creating a primary challenge for Murkowski.

September 30, 2021: Murkowski Votes to Avert Government Shutdown

On September 30, 2021, Lisa Murkowski joined 14 other Senate Republicans, along with all Democrats and Independents, in voting for a temporary spending bill, successfully preventing a government shutdown.

2021: Voted to Convict Donald Trump

In 2021, Lisa Murkowski was one of seven Republican senators who voted to convict Donald Trump of incitement of insurrection in his second impeachment trial, leading to censure by the Alaska Republican Party.

2021: Vice Chair of Senate Indian Affairs Committee

Since 2021, Lisa Murkowski has served as the vice chair of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee.

April 7, 2022: Voted to Confirm Ketanji Brown Jackson

On April 7, 2022, Lisa Murkowski voted to confirm Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court, joining only two other Republicans (Collins and Romney).

2022: Re-election Campaign Supported by Democrats and Independents

During her 2022 campaign, Lisa Murkowski was supported by Democratic colleagues, including Jeanne Shaheen, and Independent Senator Angus King, showcasing bipartisan appeal.

2022: Won 53.7% of the vote

In 2022, Lisa Murkowski secured 53.7% of the vote in her Senate election, highlighting her electoral success.

2022: Supported Ketanji Brown Jackson's Supreme Court Nomination

In 2022, Lisa Murkowski supported Ketanji Brown Jackson's Supreme Court nomination, demonstrating her approach to judicial confirmations.

2022: Re-elected to the Senate

In 2022, Lisa Murkowski was re-elected to the Senate, securing another term as a senator for Alaska.

2022: Won Reelection Against Tshibaka

In 2022, Lisa Murkowski won reelection by beating Kelly Tshibaka in the ranked-choice voting, receiving 53.7% of the vote after tabulation.

July 1, 2025: Murkowski Votes for "One Big Beautiful Bill Act"

On July 1, 2025, Lisa Murkowski voted in favor of the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" after successfully securing concessions that would protect pork barrel spending for wind and solar projects in Alaska.