Tea Partyers want Sarah Palin to run for Senate

Democratic Sen. Mark Begich is up for reelection in 2014, and has recently become more vulnerable

Published May 1, 2013 1:10PM (EDT)

A group of Tea Partyers is hoping Sarah Palin will challenge Democratic Sen. Mark Begich in 2014, when he is up for reelection. "We know that, with Sarah in the Senate, conservatives across America can rest a little easier at night knowing that she's at the watch," said Todd Cefaratti of the Tea Party Leadership Fund, in a fundraising email to supporters.

"You and I both know that Sarah Palin is a fighter who will stand up to Harry Reid and his pals in the Senate to protect our Constitution in issues like amnesty, gun control and our nation's crushing debt," Cefaratti wrote.

But the Los Angeles Times, which obtained the email, reports that Palin might not have the "clear path" to victory that the Tea Party Leadership Fund says she does. A February PPP poll had Begich's approval rating at 49 percent, and winning in a potential match-up against Palin by a margin of 54-37 percent.

Things aren't looking as good for Begich this week, though, in light of another poll released by PPP showing that his approval ratings have dropped down to 41 percent because of his vote against background checks.

Joe Miller, the Tea Party candidate who lost the general election to write-in candidate and Republican Lisa Murkowski in 2010, is also considering a run for Begich's seat.


By Jillian Rayfield

Jillian Rayfield is an Assistant News Editor for Salon, focusing on politics. Follow her on Twitter at @jillrayfield or email her at jrayfield@salon.com.

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2014 Elections Alaska Mark Begich Sarah Palin Tea Party