Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski visited Homer on Oct. 14, speaking to a packed room at Land’s End Resort.
As part of her statewide election tour, Murkowski said she has heard from many Alaskans concerned about the state’s future. The ongoing state budget crisis remains a key concern for many, she said.
Murkowski said reducing the cost of healthcare is also very important to her constituents.
“Most Alaskans that I’m talking to are saying this is not affordable care for me. Even if I do have insurance, my deductible is so high that I’m deferring insurance or again, the premiums are so high that I would rather pay the fine,” she said.
The solution is switch to a different healthcare model and reduce the cost of care, Murkowski said. But she acknowledged that there are considerable barriers to doing so.
Despite the challenges facing Alaska, Murkowski said she’s feeling hopeful.
“I’m optimistic because Alaskans are resilient, but we also have extraordinary assets. It’s not just what we have in the ground. We have extraordinary geothermal, we have wind, we have solar. We have amazing solar! Think about solar on a day like today,” she said.
She also stressed the need for bipartisan partnerships, particularly when tackling challenging issues.
“In order to build something, you have to take things from both sides and you have to work cooperatively,” she said.
When asked about her recent decision to condemn GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump, Murkowski responded that she always tries to put the state’s interests ahead of party politics.
“I’m of the school of thought that Ted Stevens advanced, which is ‘To hell with politics, just do what’s best for Alaska.’ I need to know that I can stand with my personal decision in respecting integrity and character,”’ she said.
According to a recent statewide survey conducted by Alaska Survey Research and Alaska Dispatch News, Murkowski leads with about 50 percent of polled voters.
Libertarian challenger Joe Miller came in second with about 18 percent, followed by Democrat Ray Metcalfe with 12 percent and independent Margaret Stock with 7 percent.
This year’s General Election will be held on Nov. 8.