Murkowski narrows his list of Senate candidates to six

ANCHORAGE - Gov. Frank Murkowski has whittled the list of candidates for his old U.S. Senate seat to six, but says it may take him until Christmas to make his selection.

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"It's a very serious decision," he said Monday in Washington, D.C.

Murkowski declined to name all of the six still in the running, but confirmed that among the candidates are his daughter, state Rep. Lisa Murkowski, and state Sen. Ben Stevens, son of U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens.

Lisa Murkowski of Anchorage is the House majority leader. Ben Stevens of Anchorage is the Senate majority leader.

Gov. Murkowski provided no clues to the identities of the other four candidates. He said neither the White House nor the national Republican Party is leaning on him to appoint any particular person.

Murkowski said he had a brief conversation with Karl Rove, President Bush's top political adviser, "on the recognition that I would be selecting someone, but certainly no suggestion of any one person."

Murkowski said he has received advice on what to look for in making the appointment. "The quality, of course, is re-electability," he said.

Murkowski said he expects more discussion when he and other Republican governors meet with Bush and his Cabinet members at the White House on Wednesday.

"I suspect that the topic might come up," he said.

Murkowski resigned the Senate seat he held for 22 years when he was sworn in as governor on Dec. 2. He has a month from that day to appoint a new senator.

To stay in the seat, the appointee will have to win the 2004 election.

Murkowski reiterated that, in addition to voter appeal, he wants someone youthful enough to serve for many years. He said he is looking for someone who will work well with the other two members of Alaska's congressional delegation and with himself.

He earlier said he'd make the announcement Dec. 9 or 10. He said it is simply taking longer to make his selection.

"You don't make these (decisions) lightly," he said.