In Alaska, Father's Political Troubles Shadow Daughter's Senate Bid [View All]

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http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGAKM21CNID.html

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - Lisa Murkowski, Alaska's junior senator for less than a year, is a rarity - a vulnerable Republican incumbent. Some of the blame lies with her father.

Appointed by former Sen. Frank Murkowski to fill out the remaining two years of his fourth term, Lisa Murkowski faces a Democratic challenge from a popular former two-term governor and several GOP rivals put out by her easy road to Washington.

When Frank Murkowski passed over a handful of seasoned Republican contenders to tap his daughter to replace him, he was subjected to a barrage of complaints of nepotism. Murkowski said he "reached out to Alaskans from all over the state" and felt his appointee should share "my basic philosophy, my values."

Once that criticism subsided, Frank Murkowski's rocky gubernatorial start, marked by unpopular budget cuts, cast a shadow over his daughter's Senate career. Now, Lisa Murkowski has to worry about the possible political fallout when she seeks a full six-year term in 2004.

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