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Murkowski Endorses Democratic Candidate for Alaska Governor
Confirmed
In Short: Alaska's Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski endorsed Democratic candidate Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins for governor, snubbing Trump-backed rivals.
Alaska's Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski endorsed Democratic candidate Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins for governor, a move that has drawn attention and criticism from President Trump.
Murkowski told KTUU, 'I am announcing my endorsement of Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins. He is a common-sense guy who has a known ability to be working together,' emphasizing the need for bipartisan cooperation.
In her endorsement, Murkowski highlighted Kreiss-Tomkins' ability to work across party lines, stating, 'Our future is too important to be hamstrung by partisan divisions. Jonathan understands that governing requires listening to people with different perspectives and finding common ground to solve the problems all of us face.'
Murkowski also noted her dissatisfaction with the current GOP Governor Mike Dunleavy's administration, saying, 'I think that they have left federal money on the table.'
Murkowski's endorsement of Kreiss-Tomkins comes as Alaska uses a controversial ranked-choice voting (RCV) system, where Kreiss-Tomkins is the sole Democrat competing against three Republicans: Trump-endorsed Bernadette Wilson, Dave Bronson, and Treg Taylor.
President Trump, in a Truth Social post, criticized Murkowski, calling her 'Republicans’ Worst Senator, by far,' and encouraging Alaskans to repeal the RCV system in the upcoming general election.
Murkowski's endorsement of Kreiss-Tomkins is not her first time crossing party lines. She previously endorsed Democrat Mary Peltola in her bid for reelection to the U.S. House, but backed Republican Senator Dan Sullivan in his reelection campaign.
Kreiss-Tomkins expressed gratitude for Murkowski's support, stating, 'I am honored to have Senator Murkowski's support.'
The NBC News Decision Desk rates the governor’s race in Alaska as leaning Democratic, despite Trump's previous wins in the state.
Murkowski's endorsement of Kreiss-Tomkins underscores her willingness to support candidates who she believes will best serve Alaska, regardless of party affiliation.
What this adds
Murkowski's endorsement of Kreiss-Tomkins highlights her ongoing criticism of President Trump and her commitment to bipartisan governance.
Background
The new Supreme Court term began on October 5, and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is expecting another busy term, possibly surpassing last year's record of six cases decided on the merits docket.
What's confirmed
- “JKT is young Alaskan with a view and a perspective that I think Alaska needs right now,” Murkowski told Rebecca Palsha on Tuesday.
- “We need a governor who’s going to work with the legislature,” she said.
- Alaska “Republican” Sen. Lisa Murkowski endorsed Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tompkins in the state’s race for governor, saying he “understands that governing requires listening to people with different perspectives and finding common ground to solve the problems all of us face,” Alaska Public Media reported.
- President Trump slammed Murkowski in a Truth Social post on October 24, calling her “Republicans’ Worst Senator, by far,” and called the RCV scheme “a TOTAL DEMOCRAT SCAM meant to confuse the Voter” and encouraged Alaskans to repeal it in next week’s general election.
- "Our future is too important to be hamstrung by partisan divisions," Murkowski said, according to a press release from the Kreiss-Tomkins campaign "Jonathan understands that governing requires listening to people with different perspectives and finding common ground to solve the problems all of us face. Alaska needs a serious conversation about our fiscal future, as well as a focus on the cost of energy and growing our economy. I believe Jonathan is committed to working toward solutions that serve all Alaskans, regardless of party," she added.
- "I encourage Alaskans of every political stripe, whether Republicans, independents, or Democrats, to take a close look at Jonathan and Zac. Alaska needs leaders who will put our state first, and I’m proud to support them."
- Attorney General Todd Blanche defended the Justice Department’s lawsuit over Alaska ’s closely watched Senate election on Saturday, as Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski said the department “should never have filed” the case.
What's still developing
- After President Trump’s 2024 win, Murkowski voted against the confirmations of a number of Trump appointees.
- “JKT is a young Alaskan with a view and a perspective that I think Alaska needs right now — a freshness of energy, a commonsense guy who has a known ability to be working together,” she said in an interview on NBC affiliate KTUU of Anchorage.
- “This litigation seeks to ensure that after Alaskans cast their ballots, they are preserved in a manner so that only Alaska’s governing officials have the information necessary to make a determination as to whether Alaskan voters were confused or mislead [sic],” Blanche wrote.
- Sullivan Jr.’s candidacy a “SCAM” and said his administration was looking at “powerful legal options” to remove him from the ballot.
- Asked whether she was confident that a win would ultimately be certified, Peltola said she is “worried about the level of desperation,” adding that she hoped for a decisive enough margin to avoid a prolonged dispute.
- In a statement, Kriess-Tomkins, who has touted bipartisanship on the trail, said he was "honored to have Senator Murkowski's support."