Alaska Senator Murkowski Backs Democrat Kreiss-Tomkins in Final Push Before Election

Key points

• Sen. Lisa Murkowski endorsed Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins and his running mate, Zac Johnson, on Tuesday.
• Kreiss-Tomkins leads public polling against three Republican opponents in a ranked-choice voting contest.
• The endorsement was joined by former governors Frank Murkowski, Bill Walker, and Tony Knowles.
• Republican candidate Bernadette Wilson, backed by President Trump, dismissed the endorsement as abandoning Alaskan values.
• Kreiss-Tomkins pledged to fill his cabinet with Republicans and independents to ensure bipartisan governance.

Background

Alaska’s 2026 gubernatorial race is marked by a fragmented Republican field and a strong showing by a single Democratic candidate. Kreiss-Tomkins, a former state representative from 2013 to 2023, has built a reputation for bipartisan cooperation, having won a district that voted for Trump. The current race features four candidates, with Kreiss-Tomkins facing three Republicans, including Bernadette Wilson. The state uses ranked-choice voting, a system that often rewards candidates with broad cross-party appeal. Murkowski, who relies on independent and crossover voters, has a history of endorsing Democrats, including Mary Peltola in 2022 and 2024, though she supported Republican Dan Sullivan in her own 2026 Senate race.

How outlets are covering it

The Washington Post and Fox News both reported the endorsement but emphasized different aspects. The Post highlighted Kreiss-Tomkins' reaction, which included flexed-arm and rocket emojis, and noted his previous work in creating a bipartisan governing coalition. Fox News focused on Murkowski's description of Kreiss-Tomkins as a 'common-sense guy' and her call for Alaskans of all political stripes to consider him. Alaska Public Media noted the endorsement as a 'surprise' and highlighted Kreiss-Tomkins' pledge to include Republicans and independents in his cabinet. The Anchorage Daily News published an op-ed from three former governors, including Frank Murkowski, Tony Knowles, and Bill Walker, who detailed specific policy commitments such as funding education, protecting fisheries, and fixing infrastructure. Bernadette Wilson, the Trump-backed candidate, criticized Murkowski on X, calling Kreiss-Tomkins 'Just Keep Taxing' JKT and accusing Murkowski of abandoning Alaskan values.

Why it matters

The endorsement signals a significant shift in Alaska’s political landscape, where bipartisan cooperation is increasingly valued over strict party loyalty. Kreiss-Tomkins' lead in the polls, combined with high-profile endorsements, suggests that voters may prioritize fiscal responsibility and energy costs over partisan divisions. The fragmented Republican field, with three candidates vying for the same voters in a ranked-choice system, could lead to a split that benefits Kreiss-Tomkins. The endorsement also reflects broader dissatisfaction with the outgoing Republican administration and the potential for a new governing coalition in Alaska.

What to watch

The election is scheduled for one week from the endorsement. Kreiss-Tomkins is expected to continue campaigning on his bipartisan platform, while Wilson and other Republicans may focus on mobilizing their base. The ranked-choice voting system will determine the final outcome, with the possibility of a runoff if no candidate achieves a majority in the first round. The endorsement from Murkowski and the former governors may influence undecided voters and independents, potentially tipping the balance in Kreiss-Tomkins' favor.