Sarah Palin hints at 2022 run for Alaska Senate seat
Defeated VP candidate taunted Ms Murkowski over her Supreme Court stance
Your support helps us to tell the story
This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.
The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.
Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.
Sarah Palin has hinted at running to unseat Lisa Murkowski in 2022 should the Alaska senator fail to back president Donald Trump's Supreme Court Justice nominee.
Ms Palin, former Alaska governor and defeated GOP vice presidential candidate, used a series of social media videos to taunt Ms Murkowsi, who has held the seat since 2002.
"We sure hope that you have it within you to do the right thing this time,” Ms Palin, 56, told Ms Murkowski, referencing the latter's decision not to fall in line with GOP whips and support justice Brett Kavanaugh in 2018.
“So, you should walk back. We'll forgive you," Ms Palin added, responding to reports that Ms Murkowski, 63, was not planning to vote for Trump's pick to replace Ruth Bader Ginsburg (RBG), who died earlier this month.
"If you can't do that, remember my house? I can see a lot of things from my house... Lisa, I can see 2022 from my house," Mr Palin continued.
Mr Trump, 74, on Saturday announced Amy Coney Barrett, a conservative pro-life lawyer, as his choice to replace RBG, who was considered a liberal icon and staunch defender of women's and equal rights.
If the Republican-controlled Senate confirms Ms Barrett, 48, then it would shift the ideological balance of power in the court in favour of conservatives.
'Trust no one new and don't get muzzled': Sarah Palin offers advice to Kamala Harris on being a female VP candidate
Trump says Alaska ‘will never forgive’ Republican Senator Murkowski for voting against Kavanaugh
The Masked Singer: Sarah Palin stuns viewers with ‘Baby Got Back’ performance in bear costume
This could have implications for some of the most important and fiercely contested issues in US law, such as reproductive rights.
GOP lawmakers - against RBG's dying wish - are racing to confirm Mr Trump's pick ahead of November's election, seeing it as a way to shore up votes from America's religious communities.
The Senate is expected to begin proceedings on 12 October. To confirm Ms Barrett, Republicans need a simple majority - or 51 votes.
The GOP currently holds a slight majority of 53-47, meaning they cannot lose four votes, since a 50-50 tie would be broken by vice president Mike Pence.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments