OMM Newsroom
Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins is projected to win Alaska’s gubernatorial election, ending Republican control of the governor’s office, according to Anadolu Agency, citing projections by “NBC News”.
His victory would add to Democratic gains in this year’s US elections, including in governor’s races. With six governorships switching from Republican to Democratic control, Democrats are expected to hold 30 of the country’s 50 governors’ offices next year.
Kreiss-Tomkins, 37, is set to become the youngest governor in Alaska’s history and the youngest serving governor in the United States next year. He defeated three Republican contenders in the race to succeed outgoing Governor Mike Dunleavy, who could not seek re-election because of term limits.
Alaska’s electoral system sends the four primary candidates with the most votes to the general election, regardless of party affiliation. The state uses ranked-choice voting, but it was not needed in this contest because Kreiss-Tomkins received more than half the votes in the first round.
Former Democratic state Senator Tom Begich, who finished narrowly behind Kreiss-Tomkins in the August primary, withdrew shortly afterward in an effort to consolidate Democratic support.
The Republican candidates in November were Anchorage businesswoman Bernadette Wilson, former Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson and former Alaska Attorney General Treg Taylor. Wilson, who had been endorsed by President Donald Trump, placed second but trailed Kreiss-Tomkins by a substantial margin.
Kreiss-Tomkins, widely known in Alaska as JKT, also received support from prominent Republicans. Among them was Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski, who endorsed him one week before Election Day. Murkowski is widely seen as a moderate who often breaks with Republican Party leadership.
Speaking to Anchorage-based “NBC” affiliate “KTUU”, Murkowski praised Kreiss-Tomkins for bringing a fresh perspective to state politics and described him as a pragmatic leader able to work across political divisions.
During his campaign, Kreiss-Tomkins highlighted plans to increase investment in public education, make energy more affordable, broaden Medicaid access and strengthen protections for Alaska’s fisheries.
He also called for a temporary ban on new data center developments until state legislators introduce appropriate regulations. Kreiss-Tomkins pledged to prevent data centers from receiving direct or indirect government subsidies to cover their electricity costs.
