Murkowski Endorses Democrat As Midterm Campaigns Push Crossover Appeal
Experts caution that while cross-party endorsements are gaining attention, historical data suggests they rarely shift the final vote count in tight elections.
By Leila Mansour ·
Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska endorsed Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins on Tuesday. The move is part of a recent surge in cross-party support that candidates on both sides are using to define the final weeks of the midterm election cycle.
Democratic campaigns in several states have publicized endorsements from former Republican leaders. In Kansas, former governors Bill Graves and Mike Hayden backed Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Adam Hamilton in September and October. The campaign for Texas Democratic U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico reported that more than two dozen former GOP officials support his bid.
Kel Seliger, a former Republican state senator, joined Talarico’s endorsement list this week. He chose the Democrat over Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton. Seliger said he has served with both men and views Talarico as an honest and direct leader who will prioritize Texas over the interests of Elon Musk.
Republican officials argue that cross-party voting works in the opposite direction as well. Natalie Baldassarre, the national press secretary for the Republican National Committee, pointed to the race in Michigan where Mike Rogers is challenging Abdul El-Sayed. She also cited the coalition known as Democrats for Mike Rogers as evidence of bipartisan appeal for Republican candidates.
Joshua Blank, the research director for the Texas Politics Project, offered a more cautious view. He noted that cross-party voting typically involves only a small share of the electorate. He described these voters as engaging in idiosyncratic behavior rather than forming a large bloc that can decide an election on its own.
Recent polling indicates that several midterm races have tightened, with some now statistically tied. Blank said that in those narrow contests, the small number of voters who cross party lines could influence the outcome. The election is scheduled for November.
Blank stated that the effect is usually limited unless the race is extremely close. In such scenarios, the behavior of a small group of voters may provide the margin necessary to determine a winner.
