Republican US Senator Lisa Murkowski has endorsed Democratic candidate Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins in Alaska's 2026 gubernatorial election, marking a significant cross-party development ahead of the November 3 midterm elections. Her father, former Alaska Governor and Senator Frank Murkowski, has also endorsed Kreiss-Tomkins, adding support from two prominent figures in the state's Republican political establishment.
The endorsement comes as Alaska prepares to elect a new governor to replace Republican Governor Mike Dunleavy, who is unable to seek another consecutive term. Kreiss-Tomkins is facing Republican candidates in a closely watched contest that could influence the political direction of the state.
Lisa Murkowski explains her endorsement
Senator Lisa Murkowski announced her support for Kreiss-Tomkins on October 27. She praised the Democratic candidate for his willingness to work across party lines and said Alaska needs leaders who can listen to different viewpoints and find common ground.
Murkowski argued that partisan divisions should not prevent the state from addressing important public issues. She highlighted the need for serious discussions about Alaska's financial future, energy costs and economic growth.
Her endorsement is notable because she is a Republican senator supporting a Democratic candidate for governor. Murkowski has developed a reputation for occasionally breaking with her party, particularly when she believes a candidate or policy does not serve the interests of Alaska.
She has previously supported candidates from outside her party. In 2024, she endorsed Democrat Mary Peltola in her campaign for re-election to the US House of Representatives. Murkowski's latest endorsement reflects her continued willingness to make political decisions that do not always align with the wider Republican Party's preferences.
Former Governor Frank Murkowski also backs the Democrat
Frank Murkowski, Lisa Murkowski's father, has also endorsed Kreiss-Tomkins. He served as a US senator before becoming Alaska's governor in 2002. His support adds further political weight to the endorsement, given his experience in both federal and state government.
Frank Murkowski joined former Democratic Governor Tony Knowles and former independent Governor Bill Walker in supporting Kreiss-Tomkins through a joint opinion article. The three former governors said that although they came from different political backgrounds and had disagreed on issues in the past, they shared a commitment to Alaska's future.
They argued that the state faces major challenges that require cooperation rather than partisan confrontation. These include the rising cost of living, pressure on public education, infrastructure needs and the importance of maintaining essential services.
Their support suggests that Kreiss-Tomkins is attempting to build a coalition that extends beyond the Democratic Party. By attracting backing from former leaders with different political affiliations, he is seeking to present himself as a candidate capable of working with a broad range of interests.
Who is Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins
Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins, widely known as JKT, is a Democrat and former member of the Alaska state legislature. He represented Sitka and surrounding communities in the state House for approximately a decade.
During his time in office, he developed a reputation for working with lawmakers from different political backgrounds. His campaign has made bipartisan cooperation a central theme, arguing that Alaska needs a governor who can work effectively with the state legislature and other public institutions.
Kreiss-Tomkins has also pledged to build an administration that includes Republicans and independents, not only Democrats. This approach is intended to appeal to voters who may be dissatisfied with traditional party divisions.
His campaign has focused on issues including public education, infrastructure, the cost of energy and healthcare, and the state's financial future. The endorsement from Lisa Murkowski gives his campaign additional visibility among voters who may value a more collaborative approach to government.
Three Republican candidates compete in the race
The governor's contest has attracted several Republican candidates, including Bernadette Wilson and former Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson. Republican candidate Treg Taylor has also been associated with the race in earlier campaign reporting, although ballot status and candidate details should be checked against the latest official information.
President Donald Trump has endorsed Wilson, creating a contrast between his choice and Murkowski's decision to support Kreiss-Tomkins. The competing endorsements highlight divisions within Alaska's Republican political circles over who should lead the state next.
When several candidates from the same party compete, they may divide support among voters who otherwise share similar political preferences. Polling reported before the election showed Kreiss-Tomkins leading the field, while Republican support was spread among multiple candidates. However, polling is not a guarantee of the final result, and voters' preferences can change as election day approaches.
Alaska's ranked-choice voting system also affects how candidates approach the campaign. Under this system, voters can rank candidates in order of preference, and the counting process can involve transferring votes according to those rankings when required. This makes both first-choice support and voters' later preferences important to the outcome.
Why the endorsement matters
Murkowski's endorsement could help Kreiss-Tomkins appeal to moderate voters, independents and Republicans who prioritise cooperation over strict party loyalty. It may also increase attention on the policy differences between the candidates and the kind of leadership they would bring to the governor's office.
At the same time, an endorsement does not automatically translate into votes. The impact will depend on how voters respond, whether they agree with Murkowski's assessment and how effectively each campaign reaches its supporters.
The next governor will face decisions on the state budget, public education, energy costs, healthcare and infrastructure. Alaska's economy and its relationship with the federal government are also likely to remain important issues. The winner will need to work with the state legislature to turn campaign promises into policies.
Murkowski's support for a Democratic candidate demonstrates that political alliances in Alaska are not always determined by party labels alone. Her decision, alongside her father's endorsement and the backing of former governors from different political backgrounds, has made Kreiss-Tomkins' campaign a significant topic in the final stretch before voting.
The election on November 3 will determine whether Kreiss-Tomkins can convert this cross-party support into a victory or whether a Republican candidate will succeed Dunleavy. The official results will provide the clearest indication of how Alaska's voters have responded to the competing campaigns and endorsements.
