Background
Although Alaska is heavily Republican, popular opinion had swung against the Murkowski family because of a tax increase passed by Governor Frank Murkowski, Lisa Murkowski's father. In addition, many voters disapproved of apparent nepotism in the appointment of Lisa Murkowski to the Senate. Knowles, who as mentioned above preceded Frank Murkowski as governor, had enlisted extensive out-of-state support for his bid to take over Lisa Murkowski's Senate seat. However, veteran Republican Senator Ted Stevens taped advertisements warning Alaskans that electing a Democrat could result in fewer federal dollars for Alaska.
Democratic primary
Results
Democratic Primary results[1]
Party |
Candidate |
Votes |
% |
|
Democratic |
Tony Knowles |
40,881 |
95.0% |
|
Democratic |
Don Wright |
1,080 |
2.5% |
|
Democratic |
Theresa Obermeyer |
1,045 |
2.4% |
Total votes |
43,006 |
100.0% |
Republican primary
Candidates
- Jim Dore, aviation mechanic
- Mike Miller, businessman, former State Senator, former State Representative, nominee for lieutenant governor in 1994 and younger brother of Terry Miller
- Lisa Murkowski, incumbent U.S. Senator since 2002, formerly an Anchorage lawyer and member of the Alaska House
- Wev Shea, former U.S. Attorney for Alaska
Results
Republican Primary results[1]
Party |
Candidate |
Votes |
% |
|
Republican |
Lisa Murkowski (Incumbent) |
45,710 |
58.1% |
|
Republican |
Mike Miller |
29,313 |
37.3% |
|
Republican |
Wev Shea |
2,857 |
3.6% |
|
Republican |
Jim Dore |
748 |
0.9% |
Total votes |
78,628 |
100.0% |
General election
Candidates
Minor
- Ted Gianoutsos (I), lobbyist and activist on ANWR and veterans issues
- Scott Kohlhaas (L), party activist and perennial candidate
- Marc Millican (I), aviator, U.S. Air Force veteran
- Jerry Sanders (AI), businessman, former State Representative
- Jim Sykes (G), party activist and perennial candidate
Campaign
Lisa Murkowski had very low approval ratings as senator due to her father, Frank Murkowski, who at the time was the Governor of Alaska with extremely low approval ratings himself. Former Governor Tony Knowles ran against Murkowski. He ran as a Democrat who supported drilling in ANWR, in contrast to most Democrats. Ted Stevens tried to "rescue" her campaign and help her maintain her seat.[2]
Polling
Poll Source[3] |
Dates Administered |
Murkowski (R) |
Knowles (D) |
KTUU |
October 4, 2004 |
45% |
48% |
KTUU |
October 18, 2004 |
45% |
47% |
McLaughlin |
October 28, 2004 |
48% |
43% |
References
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