Kreiss-Tomkins becomes first Democrat since 1998 elected governor in
Alaska
[November 14, 2026]
By BECKY BOHRER
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Alaska voters have elected a Democrat for governor
for the first time since 1998, part of a national midterm elections wave
that gave the party sweeping wins in state governments across the
country.
Former state lawmaker Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins defeated three
Republicans, including one endorsed by President Donald Trump. His
victory means Democrats will control the governor's office in 30 states,
including several they flipped after years of Republican control in
places such as Iowa, Georgia, Ohio and Texas.
Kreiss-Tomkins, often referred to as JKT, completed a political comeback
three years after leaving the state House. He traveled throughout Alaska
to build his coalition and focused on affordability, advocated for full
funding of public schools and called for all oil and gas producers to
pay corporate income tax. He also sought a moratorium on new data
centers until state lawmakers pass regulations for their development.
He said Alaska had become “broken” under eight years of outgoing
Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy and needed a change. He cited among other
issues a state ferry system that he said has been left in shambles, with
routes to many communities cut drastically. The ferry is a key mode of
transportation for southeast Alaska communities not connected by roads,
some of which also have limited air service.
Kreiss-Tomkins, 37, emphasized a willingness to work across party lines
and said he wanted a Cabinet with Republicans, Democrats and
independents.
“If they’re competent, if they’re service-minded, if they’re
entrepreneurial, if they’re problem-solvers, you’re on the team. Game
on,” he said during a candidate forum last month. “Let’s go, and let’s
get Alaska back on track.”
Republican U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, who has at times been at odds with
her party, including Trump, endorsed Kreiss-Tomkins a week before the
election. She said Kreiss-Tomkins “understands that governing requires
listening to people with different perspectives and finding common
ground to solve the problems all of us face.”
Three former governors including Democrat Tony Knowles, independent Bill
Walker and Republican Frank Murkowski, the senator’s father, also
endorsed him.
In a statement declaring victory earlier Friday, Kreiss-Tomkins said
voters wanted change and “a government that works across party lines to
move Alaska forward. Our administration will not waste a single day
getting to work to solve problems for Alaska.” He said his campaign had
more than 10,000 donors.
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Alaska gubernatorial candidate Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins, a Democrat,
speaks to people outside a convention center in Juneau, Alaska, June
6, 2026. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, File)
His campaign did not immediately respond to requests for comment
after The Associated Press called the race.
He defeated Republicans Bernadette Wilson, Dave Bronson and Treg
Taylor. Trump had endorsed Wilson, a business owner, and criticized
the other Republican candidates for staying in the race. Bronson is
a former mayor of Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city, while Taylor was
a state attorney general under Dunleavy.
Bronson congratulated Kreiss-Tomkins on social media and wished him
success. A message seeking comment from Wilson's campaign was not
immediately returned.
Many Republicans saw ranking as their party’s best shot of retaining
the governor's seat. It was a message that conflicted with that of
Trump, who has consistently complained about Alaska’s unusual voting
method, including during a rally in Alaska in October.
Kreiss-Tomkins finished first in August’s open primary, followed by
a second Democrat, Tom Begich, who withdrew from the race. Begich’s
campaign at the time said it had concluded that the “strongest path
to victory is to bring Democratic voters, donors and resources
together behind one candidate.” Wilson finished third in the
primary.
Kreiss-Tomkins said compromise “is a virtue, not a dirty word,” and
said he saw the mission of the new governor as working with
lawmakers to resolve longstanding problems in the state.
The state’s last Democratic governor, Tony Knowles, left office in
2002 after serving back-to-back terms. Walker served from 2014 to
2018.
Kreiss-Tomkins will be sworn in Dec. 7. His lieutenant governor is
Zac Johnson, an independent.
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