November 15, 2026
Former state legislator Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins has won the race to become the first Democrat to be voted into the top executive position in Alaska since 1998 as part of Democrats gaining ground in state governments across the nation.
A key race for the state was called by the Associated Press on Friday in favor of the 37-year-old, who is widely known by his initials JKT. The win brings the total number of Democratic governors across the nation to 30 out of 50.
Kreiss-Tomkins beat three Republican candidates, businesswoman Bernadette Wilson who was backed by former President Donald Trump, former Anchorage mayor Dave Bronson, and Treg Taylor who was the state’s attorney general.
After a political turnaround three years after leaving the Alaska House of Representatives, Kreiss-Tomkins focused his campaign on affordable economics, fully funding state education, and ensuring that all oil and gas producers in the state pay corporation tax. He also pledged to put a pause on any new data centres until legislation can be put in place.
Throughout the campaign, Kreiss-Tomkins attacked the state’s direction under the eight years of outgoing Republican Governor Mike Dunleavy. He focused on how core public services had suffered and pledged to improve the state ferry system. The ferry system is an important transport network for communities in southeast Alaska but has suffered many cuts in recent years.
Kreiss-Tomkins pledged to take a bipartisan approach to government and promised to bring a Cabinet together 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,” Kreiss-Tomkins said during a candidates forum last month. “Let’s go! Let’s get Alaska moving again.”
This bipartisan approach won him support from a range of high profile individuals including moderate Republican U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski. He also gained support from three former Governors of Alaska, Democrat Tony Knowles, Independent Bill Walker and Republican Frank Murkowski.
“Clearly, Alaskans want common sense leadership,” Kreiss-Tomkins said in a statement.
“Our administration will not waste a single day getting to work to solve problems for Alaska.”
Kreiss-Tomkins will be sworn in on Dec. 7 alongside his running mate, Independent Lt Gov Zac Johnson. The last Democratic leader of Alaska was Tony Knowles who was elected in 1998 and left office in 2002 having served two terms.