Murkowski plans to attend 3 primary debates

JUNEAU - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski plans to attend three debates leading to the Aug. 24 Republican primary.

The schedule released by her campaign Friday include a Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce debate Aug. 10; a Kenai/Soldotna Chamber debate Aug. 11; and a debate sponsored Aug. 18 by KAKM, an Anchorage public television station.

Murkowski's been spending the current recess on a whirlwind tour of Alaska. She says once that ends, she'll largely be in Washington, with the Senate scheduled to be in session until Aug. 7.

Murkowski faces a primary challenge from Joe Miller, a Fairbanks attorney whose campaign has garnered the attention of a national tea party group.