Politics
Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins Wins Alaska Governor Race, Breaking Two-Decade GOP Hold
Former state lawmaker Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins, 37, defeated three Republican rivals to become Alaska's first Democratic governor in over 20 years and the youngest in state history. His victory came despite a fractured GOP field and millions in outside spending.
Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins has won Alaska's open gubernatorial race, defeating a trio of Republican candidates and becoming the first Democrat elected to the state's top office in more than two decades. At 37, the former state lawmaker will also be the youngest governor in Alaska's history.
Kreiss-Tomkins succeeds term-limited Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy. The race was a four-way, all-party contest that drew millions of dollars in national spending. Democrats benefited from a fractured Republican field that President Donald Trump attempted to consolidate by endorsing Bernadette Wilson, but the endorsement failed to unite the GOP behind a single candidate.
The victory marks a significant shift in a state that has leaned Republican in statewide races for years. Kreiss-Tomkins, a millennial who served in the Alaska Legislature, campaigned on a platform that resonated with voters amid a splintered opposition.
National groups on both sides poured money into the contest, with Republicans sending $1.6 million to support their candidate after Democrats boosted Kreiss-Tomkins. The outcome underscores the importance of Alaska's new ranked-choice voting system and the potential for Democratic gains in traditionally red states when the GOP is divided.
Kreiss-Tomkins' win is a morale boost for national Democrats still reeling from midterm losses elsewhere. It also signals that Alaska voters were open to a generational change in leadership. The governor-elect is expected to take office in December.