Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins, a Democratic former state representative from Sitka, has won the Alaska gubernatorial election according to the Associated Press. At 37 years old, he will become the state’s youngest governor. He will succeed Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy, who has been in office since 2018 and is term-limited. Alaska’s previous Democratic governor, Tony Knowles, left office in 2002.
Kreiss-Tomkins campaigned on what he characterized as a “high-energy, bipartisan, problem-solving approach.” He stated his intention to build an administration that includes Democrats, Republicans, and independents, describing himself as a “man of the middle.” His candidacy drew endorsements from three former governors representing different political affiliations—a Democrat, a Republican, and an independent—as well as from Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski. In the lead-up to voting, Kreiss-Tomkins emphasized his belief that voters desired functional governance and collaborative leadership across party lines.
The election took place under Alaska’s ranked-choice voting system, which requires a candidate to secure a majority of votes to win. The race involved three Republican opponents, including one backed by President Trump. Vote counting extended over a week due to mail-in ballots and votes from remote areas. Voters also decided on a ballot measure to eliminate the ranked-choice system; that proposal failed, preserving the current voting method.
Kreiss-Tomkins takes office during a period when Alaska faces significant challenges. Residents have reported concerns about rising costs and insufficient state funding affecting schools, which have closed and experienced larger class sizes. Food, fuel, and housing expenses have increased substantially, and a projected shortage of accessible natural gas near population centers threatens further price increases. The state has also experienced sustained population outflow for more than a decade.
With Kreiss-Tomkins’ victory alongside other Democratic gains in recent elections, Democrats will hold 30 governors’ offices nationwide, up from 24 previously. Kreiss-Tomkins is scheduled to take office on December 7.
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