Murkowski Endorses Alaska Democrat
The Alaska senator backed Kreiss-Tomkins and Johnson in the ranked-choice voting race.
By Marco Kapoor ·
Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, endorsed Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins on Tuesday. She also supported his nonpartisan running mate, Zac Johnson. This move places a Republican senator behind the top Democratic contender in the upcoming governor's race.
Murkowski spoke to KTUU to announce the decision. She described Kreiss-Tomkins as a common-sense guy with a known ability to work together. The senator stated that the future of Alaska is too important to be hamstrung by partisan divisions.
In a press release from the Kreiss-Tomkins campaign, Murkowski explained her reasoning. She noted that governing requires listening to different perspectives and finding common ground. She highlighted the need for a serious conversation about the state's fiscal future, energy costs, and economic growth. She called for leaders who put the state first, regardless of party affiliation.
Kreiss-Tomkins responded to the endorsement through his campaign's release. He said he was honored to have Murkowski's support. He committed to working with the congressional delegation, the legislature, industry, and communities across the state. He emphasized that moving Alaska forward requires cooperation rather than political conflict.
The race involves multiple Republican candidates under the ranked-choice voting system. President Donald Trump has endorsed Bernadette Wilson, a Republican in the contest. Murkowski's support adds a high-profile cross-party endorsement to Kreiss-Tomkins' campaign.
