The Alaska Federation of Natives endorsed Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) at its annual convention on Thursday.

Attendees enthusiastically supported Murkowski in her write-in bid for the U.S. Senate. She delivered a well-received speech that cited her efforts to improve Indian health, expand tribal law enforcement, preserve Native languages and protect the 8(a) government contracting program.

"No matter how much progress we've made, there are still those who seek to undermine the respect you deserve as Alaska's first peoples. We must stand our ground against bad policies that threaten to send us back," Murkowski said in her speech.

Murkowski launched a write-in campaign after losing the Republican primary to Joe Miller, an attorney who has the backing of the Tea Party movement. Miller has accused Alaska Native corporations of trying to "buy" the election.

Get the Story:
Alaska Federation of Natives backs Murkowski (The Anchorage Daily News 10/22)
Alaska Federation of Natives backs Murkowski (The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner 10/22)

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