'Daddy's Girl' Wins SenatePrimary

ANCHORAGE, Alaska - (08/25/04) -- Sen. Lisa Murkowski did her best todispel charges of nepotism Tuesday by besting three opponents towin the Republican primary. Murkowski, appointed to the Senate20-months ago by her father, Frank Murkowksi, after he was electedgovernor, will face off against Democratic former Gov. Tony Knowlesin November. Murkowski received the maximum allowable campaigncontribution from CUNA for her primary. Nancy Usera, vice presidentat Alaska USA FCU and a long-time political operative in the state,said she is supporting Murkowski because of her fit with aRepublican majority in the Senate, but credit unions will still bewell-positioned if she loses because Knowles was a strong creditunion supporter during his two terms as governor. Either way,credit unions will retain the ear of the junior senator in thisstate of 650,000 people, where almost two-thirds--the highestpenetration in the nation--are credit union members, Usera told TheCredit Union Journal.