Joe Miller Contemplates 2014 Senate Run

Joe Miller, the 2010 Republican Senate Candidate, made his first major political speech in 12 months in the state and said he’s contemplating a 2014 Senate run at the Alaska Libertarian Party convention held Saturday in a midtown hotel.

Miller kept a low profile during last year’s election year and continued to make contributions to his website Restoring Liberty. He said his motivation for speaking at the Best Western Hotel was simply accepting an invitation by the Alaska Libertarian Party.

“We are obviously contemplating a run,” said Miller. “It's not even at point where we've hired people or anything like that, but we are giving it consideration.”

In 2010, Miller snatched up the Primary election after being backed by the Tea Party, however Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-AK, won the General election via write-in votes. Her seat will be up for re-election in 2016.

The Alaska GOP has already made its intentions clear for next year’s election.

“Republicans, in general, have a very strong interest in replacing Senator Begich with a Republican, Conservative Senator, and that's the goal of republicans in 2014,” said Debbie Brown, Alaskan Republican Chair.

Miller said he has more time to consider if and when he’ll run, but says a “number of factors that are going to considered in part behind closed doors as to whether or not we go forward.”

“Family considerations, financial considerations, support considerations, other candidate considerations, those all go into the mix,” said Miller.

Sen. Mark Begich, D-AK, said he expects a vigorous campaign from whoever runs against him, but at this moment he’s focused on his own goals as Alaska’s Senator.

As for an actual timetable about announcing a campaign, Miller remained cautious and said “it’s going to be a decision that’s well considered.”


Contact Garrett Turner