If you’ve been following the messy, often unpredictable world of Alaska politics, you know that Lisa Murkowski is basically the Houdini of the U.S. Senate. She’s survived primary losses, write-in campaigns that felt like fever dreams, and more "political obituaries" than most senators face in a lifetime. But since we're sitting here in early 2026, the big question is circling again: when is Lisa Murkowski up for reelection?
The short answer is: not for a while. Lisa Murkowski won her last race in 2022, and since U.S. Senators serve six-year terms, she isn't back on the ballot until November 7, 2028.
While her seat is safe for now, the "other" Alaska seat—held by Republican Dan Sullivan—is the one currently heating up for the 2026 midterms. But Murkowski’s 2028 date is the one everyone watches because, frankly, her races are never boring. She occupies a Class III Senate seat, meaning her term officially wraps up on January 3, 2029.
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The 2028 Countdown and Why It Matters Now
Six years sounds like an eternity in politics, but in Alaska, the campaign never really stops. Murkowski has already signaled she's running for reelection in 2028. This is kind of a big deal because she’s one of the last "true moderates" in a chamber that’s increasingly polarized.
To understand why people are already asking about her 2028 seat, you have to look at the weirdly specific way Alaska votes. We aren't talking about a standard Republican vs. Democrat showdown. Since 2022, Alaska has used a nonpartisan top-four primary and ranked-choice voting (RCV) in the general election.
This system was basically built for someone like Murkowski. It allows her to bypass the "party purists" who usually try to primary her from the right. Honestly, without RCV, her 2022 win against Trump-endorsed Kelly Tshibaka would have been a much tighter squeeze—or a flat-out loss.
Why the 2028 date is a "moving target" for critics
Even though we know the date is November 7, 2028, her opponents are already looking for ways to make the seat available sooner. There have been rumblings about repealing ranked-choice voting via ballot measures. If that happens before 2028, the "when" of her reelection becomes less about the date and more about whether she can survive a closed Republican primary again.
A History of Defying the Calendar
Most people get Murkowski’s timeline confused because she’s been in the Senate since 2002. That’s nearly a quarter-century. She was originally appointed by her father, Frank Murkowski, which—let’s be real—was a huge controversy at the time. People called it nepotism. They said she wouldn’t last.
She proved them wrong in 2004, then did the impossible in 2010.
Remember the 2010 midterms? She lost her primary to Tea Party candidate Joe Miller. Most politicians would have packed their bags. Instead, she launched a write-in campaign. Do you know how hard it is to get people to correctly spell "Murkowski" on a ballot? She even handed out wristbands with her name on them so voters wouldn't mess it up. She won. It was the first successful Senate write-in win since 1954.
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Breaking down the Murkowski Election Cycle
- 2002: Appointed to the seat.
- 2004: Won her first full term.
- 2010: Lost the primary, won the general as a write-in.
- 2016: Won reelection comfortably.
- 2022: Won using the new ranked-choice system.
- 2028: The next scheduled date for her reelection.
The "Trump Factor" and 2028
You can't talk about Murkowski's reelection without talking about her relationship with the MAGA wing of the GOP. She was one of the seven Republican senators who voted to convict Donald Trump during his second impeachment trial in 2021.
That vote effectively put a target on her back. The Alaska GOP actually censured her for it. But Murkowski’s "secret sauce" has always been her ability to pull votes from across the aisle. In 2022, she didn't just win Republicans; she won Independents and a significant chunk of Democrats who preferred her over a more hardline conservative.
By the time 2028 rolls around, the political landscape could be totally different. But if history is any guide, she’ll be leaning into that "independent-minded Alaskan" brand that has kept her in D.C. for over two decades.
What should you do if you're an Alaska voter?
If you're trying to keep track of the Alaska Senate schedule, don't get 2026 and 2028 mixed up.
- Check your registration for 2026: Even though Murkowski isn't up, Dan Sullivan's seat is. The filing deadline for that race is June 1, 2026.
- Monitor the RCV status: Keep an eye on the Alaska Division of Elections website. There are constant efforts to move back to a party-primary system. If that happens, Murkowski’s 2028 path gets a lot rockier.
- Watch the committee assignments: Murkowski is currently the chair of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee. Her influence on energy and native issues is why many Alaskans—regardless of party—keep sending her back.
Basically, if you’re looking for Lisa Murkowski on your ballot this November or even in 2026, you won't find her. She’s got a clear runway for the next two years. But mark your calendars for November 2028, because that is going to be a heavyweight fight for the future of the Alaska GOP.
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For now, the best thing to do is keep an eye on how she votes on upcoming infrastructure and energy bills, as those usually form the backbone of her "Alaska First" campaign pitches. You can track her recent activity and floor speeches through the official Senate.gov portal to see exactly how she’s positioning herself for that next big run.