Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s forthcoming book, Far From Home: An Alaskan Senator Faces the Extreme Climate of Washington, D.C., arrives June 24 as a bipartisanship manifesto amid deepening political divides. The moderate Republican, known for defying party lines, pledges to reignite faith in collaborative governance. Alaska is first in my heart, but compromise benefits everyone, Murkowski stated in a press release.
Appointed to the Senate by her father in 2002, Murkowski survived a 2010 primary loss through a historic write-in campaign. Her 2022 reelection coincided with Alaska’s adoption of ranked choice voting and open primaries—reforms she credits for reducing partisan gridlock.
My purpose is to show that democracy can work through ordinary dedication, not heroism,she writes.
Since Trump’s 2024 return, Murkowski has opposed key administration moves:
- Denouncing pardons for Jan. 6 rioters
- Blocking Pete Hegseth’s Defense Secretary nomination
- Rejecting Denali’s renaming to Mount McKinley
As GOP critics like Liz Cheney exit politics, Murkowski’s endurance highlights her unique role in bridging divides. Her memoir argues that shared values, not extremism must guide Congress—a message resonating amid record-low public trust in institutions.