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Murkowski Tells AP: ‘I’m Still in This Game’

Sen. Lisa Murkowski isn’t ready to give up the fight for re-election just yet, the Alaska Republican told the Associated Press on Tuesday.

“I have not made that determination that I’m going to give up,” Murkowski said. “I’m not a quitter, never have been. And I’m still in this game.”

Murkowski conceded the GOP primary to challenger Joe Miller on Aug. 31 after he made an unexpectedly strong showing in the Aug. 24 race, but she has not endorsed him. Murkowski was appointed as a Senator in 2002 and won her first full term in 2004.

She said an outpouring of support from Alaskan voters has persuaded her to weigh her options. If she decides to continue her campaign, she could enter the race as a write-in candidate until five days before the general election, or she could try to get on the Libertarian ticket.

However, the Alaska Libertarian Party’s executive committee voted last month against allowing Murkowski to run on the party line. Chairman Scott Kohlhaas said that although the party has continued discussing the matter, chances are slim that it will take her on, the AP reported.

Murkowski met briefly on Tuesday with Libertarian candidate David Haase, who would have to withdraw by Sept. 15 in order for Murkowski to run. Haase has not said whether he would withdraw.

The Senator said she isn’t interested in changing her politics. “I will not change who I am for any party,” she told the AP. “You take me or leave me, because I am who I am.”

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