Murkowski Backs Democrat in Alaska Governor’s Race, Citing Bipartisanship

Senator Lisa Murkowski has endorsed Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins in Alaska’s gubernatorial race, a move that breaks with her party and comes a week before Election Day. Murkowski cited Kreiss-Tomkins’ potential to work across the aisle and his “freshness of energy” as reasons for her support, expressing concern that the three Republican candidates are too partisan and would hinder collaboration with the state legislature. The endorsement comes in a state where ranked-choice voting is used, and where Donald Trump won in 2016, 2020, and 2024. Kreiss-Tomkins, a former state lawmaker, expressed gratitude for Murkowski’s support, highlighting her commitment to bipartisanship. Trump-backed candidate Bernadette Wilson dismissed Murkowski’s endorsement, accusing Kreiss-Tomkins of aligning with “extreme socialists.”

Murkowski stated that Alaska needs a governor who will collaborate with the legislature to ensure the state’s congressional delegation can be successful in Washington, D.C. She specifically voiced concerns that Wilson would not engage with Democrats at any point. Kreiss-Tomkins is competing against Wilson, former Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson, and former state Attorney General Treg Taylor. The NBC News Decision Desk currently rates the race as leaning Democratic. The Hill reported that Murkowski praised Kreiss-Tomkins’ commitment to bipartisanship. The Washington Examiner noted that the endorsement could shift the dynamics of the race, as Kreiss-Tomkins is the only Democrat on the ballot. Wilson responded to the endorsement by claiming Murkowski abandoned Alaska values and that Kreiss-Tomkins’ allegiance lies with socialists detrimental to Alaskans.

Where they differ

• NBC News highlighted that the race is currently leaning Democratic, according to their Decision Desk.
• The Hill focused on Murkowski’s statement praising Kreiss-Tomkins’ commitment to bipartisanship.
• The Washington Examiner emphasized that the endorsement could move the needle in the race, given Kreiss-Tomkins is the only Democrat on the ballot.

Background

• Donald Trump won Alaska in the 2016, 2020, and 2024 presidential elections [background knowledge].
• Alaska uses ranked-choice voting, a system where voters rank candidates in order of preference [Fact Refinery, 2026-10-23].
• Senator Lisa Murkowski opposed the confirmation of Todd Blanche as Attorney General in August 2026 [Fact Refinery, 2026-08-07].
• In October 2026, Murkowski joined a bipartisan group of senators urging President Trump to reverse a deal to import diesel from Russia [Fact Refinery, 2026-10-11].
• The Department of Justice sued to block certification of the Alaska Senate race in October 2026 due to conflicting candidate names [Fact Refinery, 2026-10-23].

Our reading

Our reading is that Senator Murkowski’s endorsement of a Democrat in the gubernatorial race represents a continuation of her pattern of prioritizing bipartisanship and independence from her party, even when it means opposing figures favored by the current President. The stated reasons, Kreiss-Tomkins’ collaborative potential and concerns about partisan gridlock, align with her previous public statements and actions, particularly her opposition to Trump’s policies and nominees. The dismissal from the Trump-backed candidate suggests this endorsement is seen as a direct challenge to the hard-right wing of the Republican party in Alaska.

What to watch

• The final vote tally in the Alaska gubernatorial race on Election Day [Alaska Division of Elections website].
• Whether the NBC News Decision Desk revises its rating of the race following Murkowski’s endorsement [NBC News Decision Desk].
• Public statements from other prominent Alaska Republicans regarding Murkowski’s endorsement [local Alaskan news outlets].

Was this useful? 👍 0 👎 0

---

Read the original coverage