Oklahoma billionaire oilman Harold Hamm has come out against Alaska U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski in her re-election effort…instead favoring one of her main GOP opponents, Kelly Tshibaka.
Hamm, founder of Oklahoma City-based Continental Resources, recently announced his support for Tshibaka who is the former commissioner of the Alaska Department of Administration and is campaigning as someone who will stand up for Alaska’s energy industry. His announcement came through her campaign.
“Kelly understands that American-made energy is the driving force of our economy, creating thousands of jobs in Alaska, and is essential to our national security,” Hamm said in a statement via Tshibaka’s campaign.
“As U.S. Senator, Kelly will stand up for the people of Alaska and fight for American energy independence,” he said. “Kelly Tshibaka knows what’s good for Alaska is good for the rest of the country.”
Tshibaka describes herself as a conservative to the right of Murkowski, a Republican who once chaired the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Former President Trump has also endorsed Tshibaka. Hamm was an energy adviser to Trump when he was in the White House.
In recent weeks, Tshibaka has leveled her criticism at the Biden administration including Interior Secretary Deb Haaland. She also was critical of Sen. Murkowski for voting support of Haaland’s confirmation.
“Lisa Murkowski’s vote for Deb Haaland was not simply a one-time mistake, rather, it was a colossal error in judgment that is hammering Alaska over and over again. Murkowski admitted publicly that it was likely that Haaland would be harmful to Alaska as secretary, but she cast that vote anyway,” said Tshibaka in a campaign statement.
When Haaland visited Alaska, Tshibaka criticized Haaland, Murkowski and Biden.
“Everyone should be clear on exactly why Deb Haaland has chosen this moment to visit Alaska: She’s been dispatched by President Joe Biden to try to provide cover for Sen. Lisa Murkowski, who has been the chief enabler of the Biden administration, which has targeted Alaska’s economy for destruction since his very first day in office.”
When she filed as a candidate in April, Tshibaka charged that Murkowski’s overall record proves she has stopped listening to the people of Alaska.
“Everywhere I have been in Alaska over the past year, people have told me the same thing: It’s time for a change,” Tshibaka said. “Whether it’s in rural Alaska or a city, no matter a person’s race, age, or gender, no matter if they’re retired, working, unemployed, or a stay-at-home mom or dad, people all feel the same way. Lisa Murkowski has forgotten all about them because she cares more about her popularity among the Washington, D.C. elites.”