Alaska governor race: Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins wins, replaces term-limited Republican Mike Dunleavy

A new governor for Alaska

Kreiss-Tomkins, a former state representative from Sitka, won after more than a week of vote counting, including ballots sent by mail and votes from remote parts of Alaska. The state’s ranked-choice system required a majority to win.

He will replace Dunleavy, who has served as governor since 2018 and could not seek another term. Alaska’s last Democratic governor was Tony Knowles, who left office in 2002.

Campaign built around cooperation

Known by his initials, JKT, Kreiss-Tomkins made a bipartisan, problem-solving approach central to his campaign. He said he intends to build an administration that includes Democrats, Republicans and independents.

At a debate, he described himself as a “man of the middle.” Three former governors, representing Democratic, Republican and independent politics, endorsed him, as did Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski. Before voting in Anchorage, Kreiss-Tomkins said, “I strongly believe people just want things to work, and want people to work together.”

Ranked-choice system remains

Voters also considered whether to end Alaska’s ranked-choice voting system. A separate Associated Press race call said that proposal failed, leaving the system in place.

Challenges await the incoming administration

Alaskans have raised concerns that public services and everyday conditions are not working as they should. Rising costs and relatively flat state funding have contributed to school closures and larger class sizes.

Food, fuel and housing costs have climbed, while a looming shortage of accessible natural gas near population centers could drive prices higher. Residents have also been leaving Alaska for more than a decade. Kreiss-Tomkins’ victory and other midterm results mean Democrats will hold 30 governorships nationwide, up from 24.