Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski endorses Democrat in Alaska governor race

Republican United States Senator Lisa Murkowski endorsed Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins in the Alaska governor race, according to the Washington Examiner, Alaska's News Source, Alaska Beacon, Alaska Public Media, and The Hill. Kreiss-Tomkins is the only Democrat on the ranked choice ballot in Alaska. [1][2][3][4][5][8]

The Washington Examiner reported that Murkowski released an email statement asking voters to set partisan politics aside. She urged support for Kreiss-Tomkins, who is known as JKT, and his running mate, independent Anchorage Assemblyman Zac Johnson. The endorsement is not surprising because Murkowski has been critical of the administration of Republican Governor Mike Dunleavy. [1]

Murkowski is an attorney and politician who serves as the senior United States senator from Alaska. She has held her Senate seat since 2002 and is the first woman to represent Alaska in the United States Congress. She became the dean of the congressional delegation in Alaska following the death of Representative Don Young. [6]

The general election is scheduled to take place on November 3, 2026. Incumbent Republican Governor Mike Dunleavy is term-limited and ineligible to seek a third consecutive term. [8]