Senate Republicans won't remove Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) as the ranking member on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

Murkowski faced removal after launching a write-in campaign against the Republican nominee in Alaska. She will hold onto her seat but has resigned from the Senate Republican Conference -- her replacement is Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyoming), the chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee.

Murkowski, also a member of the Indian committee, lost the Republican primary to Joe Miller, an attorney who has the backing of the Tea Party movement.

Since joining the Senate, Murkowski has become a strong advocate for law enforcement, health care and other needs in rural Alaska Native villages. She also has defended Alaska Native corporations from attacks on their government contracts.

Get the Story:
Murkowski keeps seat on energy committee (The Anchorage Daily News 9/23)
Murkowski will keep her top spot on energy committee (The Washington Post 9/23)

Related Stories:
Sen. Murkowski launches write-in campaign after losing primary (9/20)
Sen. Murkowski concedes Republican primary race to challenger (9/1)
Sen. Murkowski faces loss of seat in close primary vote in Alaska (8/26)