Alaska Politics: Democrat JKT Wins Governorship
The 37-year-old former state representative secured victory in the state's ranked-choice voting system, ending 24 years of Republican control.
By Neha Kapoor ·
Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins, a former state representative from Sitka, won the Alaska gubernatorial race. The Associated Press called the result after a vote count that extended past Election Day. At age 37, he becomes the youngest person to hold the office.
The state has not had a Democratic governor since Tony Knowles left office in 2002. Kreiss-Tomkins replaces Mike Dunleavy, a Republican who has served since 2018 and faces term limits. The last Democratic victory in this race occurred more than two decades ago.
The candidate, who campaigns under the initials JKT, positioned himself as a moderate. He described himself as a "man of the middle" during a debate and pledged to build an administration that includes Democrats, Republicans, and independents. His campaign emphasized a high-energy, bipartisan approach to problem-solving.
Support for Kreiss-Tomkins came from across the political spectrum. He received endorsements from three former governors representing different parties. Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski also backed his candidacy. In an interview before voting in Anchorage, he stated that Alaskans are tired of zero-sum partisan politics.
"I strongly believe people just want things to work, and want people to work together," Kreiss-Tomkins said. He faced three Republican opponents in the ranked-choice voting system. Those candidates included Bernadette Wilson, who had the backing of President Donald Trump, former Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson, and former Attorney General Treg Taylor. A candidate must secure a majority of votes to win under these rules.
Voters also decided on a ballot measure to retain the ranked-choice voting system. That proposal failed, keeping the current method in place. With this victory, Democrats will control 30 governors' offices nationwide, an increase from the current total of 24.
Kreiss-Tomkins takes office at noon on December 7. The state faces budget pressures that have led to school closures and larger class sizes. Costs for food, fuel, and housing have risen sharply. A potential shortage of natural gas near major population centers threatens to push prices higher. Alaskans have been leaving the state for more than a decade.
