Juneau: Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins has won Alaska’s gubernatorial election, becoming the state’s first Democratic governor-elect since 1998. The Associated Press called the race Friday, November 13, after more than a week of vote counting.
Kreiss-Tomkins defeated three Republican candidates, including Bernadette Wilson, who had received an endorsement from President Donald Trump. His victory flips the governor’s office from Republican to Democratic control.
At 37, Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins is set to become the youngest governor in Alaska’s history. He will succeed outgoing Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy, who has served since 2018 and was unable to seek another term.
The election outcome represents a significant political shift in a state that has traditionally favored Republican candidates in statewide races. The win also contributes to a broader Democratic wave in the 2026 midterm elections.
Kreiss-Tomkins previously served in the Alaska House of Representatives and left the Legislature in 2023. A former lawmaker from Sitka, he built his campaign around affordability, public education and a bipartisan approach to governing.
His policy priorities included fully funding public schools and requiring oil and gas producers to pay corporate income tax. He also called for pausing new data center projects until lawmakers establish regulations governing their development.
During the campaign, Kreiss-Tomkins criticized Dunleavy’s administration and pointed to problems with Alaska’s ferry system. He argued that reduced routes had made transportation increasingly difficult for communities without road connections.
Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins also emphasized cooperation across political lines, promising to build an administration that includes Democrats, Republicans and independents. He described compromise as an important part of solving the state’s longstanding challenges.
Republican U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski endorsed him shortly before Election Day, highlighting his willingness to listen to differing viewpoints. Three former Alaska governors — Tony Knowles, Bill Walker and Frank Murkowski — also backed his campaign.
His Republican opponents were business owner Bernadette Wilson, former Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson and former Alaska Attorney General Treg Taylor. Trump endorsed Wilson and urged the other Republican candidates to leave the race.
Alaska’s ranked-choice voting system contributed to the extended counting process. Kreiss-Tomkins finished first in the August primary, while Democrat Tom Begich later withdrew to consolidate Democratic support behind a single candidate.
Kreiss-Tomkins will take office on December 7, with independent Zac Johnson serving as lieutenant governor. His administration will inherit challenges involving education funding, high living costs, energy prices and transportation across remote communities.
The victory means Democrats will control 30 governorships nationwide, according to the Associated Press, following several state-level gains during the 2026 midterm elections.
