The Alaskan Senate race pits incumbent Republican Lisa Murkowski against Tea Party-backed Republican Joe Miller and Democratic candidate Scott McAdams. Murkowski was appointed to the Senate in 2003 and narrowly lost to Miller in the Republican primary, launching a write-in campaign. Miller advocates limiting government spending and opposes cap-and-trade legislation and healthcare reform. Murkowski and McAdams support oil and gas development but also renewable energy. National groups like the Tea Party Express back Miller as media coverage focuses on the Republican infighting between Miller and Murkowski.