Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins has won the race for Alaska governor, flipping the office from Republican control for the first time since 1998.
The 37-year-old former state representative secured a majority of first-choice votes in the general election, according to NPR. By crossing the 50 percent threshold on the initial ballot, Kreiss-Tomkins avoided a ranked-choice voting runoff, Alaska Beacon reports. One report from the Alaska Beacon noted he held 50.81% of the tally.
VoteHub projects Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins to win the Alaska Governor election. pic.twitter.com/iGYEp0BVmg
Kreiss-Tomkins, often referred to by his initials JKT, succeeds Gov. Mike Dunleavy, a conservative Republican who was barred from seeking a third consecutive term. The incoming governor plans to lead an administration composed of Democrats, Republicans, and independents, NPR reported. Kreiss-Tomkins stated his campaign had more than 10,000 donors.
“I strongly believe people just want things to work, and want people to work together,” Kreiss-Tomkins said during an interview on Election Day, NPR stated. In a victory statement, he said that voters desired 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.”
Republican vote split in general election
The Democratic victory followed a competitive Republican field that included three candidates on the November ballot. President Trump had criticized both Bronson and Taylor during the campaign, accusing them of dividing conservative voters.
| Candidate | Party | First-Choice Vote Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins | Democrat | Over 50 percent |
| Bernadette Wilson | Republican | 28.7 percent |
| Dave Bronson | Republican | 13.7 percent |
| Treg Taylor | Republican | 7.3 percent |
Bronson, who had previously served as Anchorage mayor, issued a statement on social media congratulating the governor-elect and wishing him success, Alaska Beacon reported.
Wilson, who was endorsed by President Trump, said that unless Republican organizations — including the state party — organize and back a single candidate, they risk a repeat of the vote dilution that happened this year, Alaska Beacon reported.
Q-If [Mary Peltola] were to win, and if she's still under investigation, would you certify the election? Gov. Dunleavy- "If we conclude there were things…that are illegal, we will act on that. And that may in fact impact whether somebody is seated in the U. S. Senate" pic.twitter.com/T3npq6L0xk
Kreiss-Tomkins advocates for school funding and tax reform
Kreiss-Tomkins campaigned on several key issues, including expanding Medicaid, protecting fisheries, and lowering energy costs. He also advocated for increased funding for public schools, NBC News reported. Regarding fiscal policy, he has said a broad-based tax is “likely going to be necessary” to balance the budget and has supported a “moderate” Permanent Fund dividend.
The shift in leadership arrives after eight years of political stalemate regarding education funding under the Dunleavy administration. For much of that time, lawmakers argued the state was underfunding schools, while Dunleavy officials defended decisions not to request more funding, citing budget issues. Sen. Löki Tobin, who chairs the Senate Education Committee, told The Alaska Current:
“I’m looking forward to an incoming governor who is going to take a different approach,” Tobin said. She also said that the previous eight years were spent with a governor who “was adamantly opposed to adequately funding public schools.”
At the Resource Development Council annual conference in Anchorage on Wednesday, Kreiss-Tomkins addressed the need for investment in state services, The Alaska Current reported.
“I think both in the short term and especially in the long term, that will put Alaska on the best long-term fiscal path,” Kreiss-Tomkins said, while adding that he would support a “moderate” Permanent Fund dividend and increased spending on some state services, including public schools.
The new governor received an endorsement from Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski prior to the election.
The former state legislator from the small island community of Sitka also requested a moratorium on all new data centers until regulations are passed by the state Legislature, and stated he would prohibit both direct and indirect subsidies for electricity costs for data centers.
The incoming administration will also include independent Zac Johnson as lieutenant governor. Kreiss-Tomkins is scheduled to take office at noon Dec. 7, NPR reported.