Lisa Murkowski

It’s a repeat of her endorsement two years ago, but nationally it’s unusual for a Republican senator to endorse a Democrat for office. Murkowski’s colleague, Republican U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, endorsed Republican candidate Nick Begich III instead of Peltola.

Four decades ago, in the days before the internet and automatic voter registration, Alaska Natives turned out to vote at high levels. That participation has eroded badly, a situation that should be reversed, said Michelle Sparck, director of an Alaska nonpartisan organization called Get Out The Native Vote.

It's the joint nature of the exercises off Alaska that are unusual, the U.S. senator said. In response, the U.S. Army sent soldiers to Shemya.