Trump-backed Alaska gubernatorial candidate Bernadette Wilson criticized Senator Lisa Murkowski for endorsing her Democratic opponent, claiming both share liberal economic views.
Bernadette Wilson, the Republican candidate for governor of Alaska, has publicly criticized Senator Lisa Murkowski for endorsing her Democratic opponent, Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins. Wilson accused Murkowski of aligning with liberal economic policies that she believes are detrimental to the state.
In an interview with Fox News Digital, Wilson expressed that she was not surprised by Murkowski’s decision to cross party lines and support Kreiss-Tomkins. She stated that both politicians share similar views on taxation and the oil industry in Alaska.
“It should not surprise anyone. They’re two peas in a pod,” Wilson remarked. “I can tell you that as governor.” She continued to emphasize her concerns about Kreiss-Tomkins’ economic policies, which she believes mirror those of Murkowski.
Wilson specifically criticized Kreiss-Tomkins for his support of tax increases, including a proposal to double the fuel tax in Alaska. She highlighted his stance on the oil industry, stating, “the guy that wants to come after the oil companies, the guy that does not support paying out a full permanent fund dividend.” This, she argues, aligns with Murkowski’s positions.
During a candidate forum hosted by the Alaska Oil and Gas Association in August, Kreiss-Tomkins acknowledged the need for “broad-based tax and revenues of that nature” to balance the state budget. Wilson seized on this statement to bolster her argument against both Kreiss-Tomkins and Murkowski.
Wilson has been vocal about her concerns regarding Murkowski’s political alignment, describing both politicians as proponents of “socialist policies.” She referenced her long-standing criticisms of Murkowski, stating, “I have been sounding the alarm since 2010 about the fact that she was subscribing to extreme liberal socialist policies.”
While Wilson refrained from assigning specific motives to Murkowski’s endorsement of Kreiss-Tomkins, she did not dismiss the idea that it could be a rebuke of former President Donald Trump. Trump endorsed Wilson on October 13, just days before Murkowski’s announcement in support of Kreiss-Tomkins.
Murkowski has previously opposed several legislative initiatives backed by Trump during the 119th Congress, including the SAVE America Act, which aimed to impose stricter proof-of-citizenship requirements for voter registration. In a July op-ed for the Wall Street Journal, Murkowski criticized the act, arguing it would create unnecessary barriers to voting and lead to chaos before the November elections.
In January, Murkowski also joined Senate Democrats in voting for the War Powers Resolution, which sought to limit Trump’s military authority regarding Iran. Following this vote, Trump took to Truth Social to declare that Murkowski “should never be elected to office again.”
As the gubernatorial race continues, Wilson has pledged to maintain her critique of Murkowski, whom she labeled a “so-called Republican senator.” She described Murkowski’s political positions as “absolutely terrible” and vowed to keep raising awareness about her actions if elected governor.
Neither Murkowski nor Kreiss-Tomkins responded to requests for comment from Fox News Digital.
According to Fox News Digital, the political landscape in Alaska is heating up as candidates prepare for the upcoming election, with endorsements and party alignments playing a significant role in shaping voter perceptions.