JUNEAU, Alaska—Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski is joining the call for Republicans and Democrats to sit together—and forgo party-bloc seating—during the president’s State of the Union address.
Murkowski is the lead Republican supporting the effort proposed by Colorado Sen. Mark Udall, a Democrat.
Murkowski has shown signs of returning to her centrist roots since her successful outside run as a write-in candidate last fall.
She and Udall have sent a letter to colleagues, asking them to help send the message of a unified Congress during the address. They’ve also sent a letter to party leadership.
Murkowski spokesman Michael Brumas says the seating arrangement is largely symbolic but also a heartfelt gesture.
He believes Murkowski intends to “make good on her call” regardless of what leadership decides.
Alaska’s Democratic senator, Mark Begich, also supports the bipartisan seating arrangement. He wants Alaska’s congressional delegation, including Republican Rep. Don Young, to sit together.
