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Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins has won the Alaska governor’s race, flipping the office from Republican control, according to NBC News projections. At 37, Kreiss-Tomkins will become the youngest governor in Alaska history. Next year, he will also hold the title of youngest sitting governor in the entire country.
A Significant Democratic Gain
The victory adds to a strong year for Democrats at the state level. The party will hold 30 governorships in 2026 after flipping control in six states this election cycle. Kreiss-Tomkins, a former state lawmaker, defeated three Republican opponents to succeed term-limited GOP Governor Mike Dunleavy.
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Alaska uses a unique election system. The top four primary vote-getters, regardless of party, advance to the general election. Voters then use ranked choice voting to determine the winner. However, Kreiss-Tomkins secured a majority on the first ballot, so ranked choice counting never came into play.
How the Race Unfolded
Former state Senator Tom Begich, also a Democrat, finished second in the August primary. He dropped out shortly after to consolidate Democratic support behind Kreiss-Tomkins. That decision helped clear a path for Kreiss-Tomkins heading into November.
The three Republicans on the general election ballot were Anchorage businesswoman Bernadette Wilson, former Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson, and former state Attorney General Treg Taylor. Wilson, who received backing from President Donald Trump, finished a distant second.
Bipartisan Support and Key Endorsement
Kreiss-Tomkins, widely known in Alaska as JKT, built notable bipartisan support during his campaign. One week before Election Day, Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski endorsed him. That endorsement drew significant attention across the state.
“JKT is a young Alaskan with a view and a perspective that I think Alaska needs right now — a freshness of energy, a common-sense guy who has a known ability to be working together,” Murkowski told NBC affiliate KTUU of Anchorage.
Campaign Priorities
Throughout the race, Kreiss-Tomkins focused on several key policy areas. He campaigned on increased funding for public schools, lower energy costs, expanded Medicaid, and stronger protections for Alaska’s fisheries.
He also took a firm stance on data centers. Kreiss-Tomkins called for a moratorium on all new data center construction until the state Legislature passes clear regulations. He also said he would block both direct and indirect electricity subsidies for data centers. These positions distinguished him on technology and energy policy during the campaign.
