Alaska Elects First Democratic Governor Since 1998
Alaska has elected its first Democratic governor since 1998, Reuters reported, with Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins defeating three Republican rivals in the United States midterm elections.
Kreiss-Tomkins, 37, a former Alaska state lawmaker, won the race according to projections by the Associated Press and NBC News. His victory was the latest win for the Democrats in a wave of midterm victories in state government and US congressional elections.
A first Democratic governor in 28 years
Alaska has not elected a Democratic governor since 1998, according to US media. The last Democrat to win the office was Tony Knowles, who was re-elected in 1998 and served until 2002.
Kreiss-Tomkins defeated three Republicans, including one backed by US President Donald Trump. His win gives the Democrats 30 state governorships next year, following the midterm elections held on November 3.
He campaigned on reducing the cost of living, full funding for public schools, and regulating data centre construction. The cost of living pitch struck a chord in a state where prices for food, fuel and housing run far above the national average.
Kreiss-Tomkins was also endorsed by Republican US Senator Lisa Murkowski, one of the few members of her party who has been willing to break with Trump on some foreign and domestic issues. Her backing gave his campaign reach beyond Democratic voters in a state that usually leans Republican.
What the win means for the midterms
The Alaska result adds to a strong midterm showing for the Democrats. The party has picked up state government and congressional seats across the country, and the Alaska win stands out because the state has voted Republican in most recent elections.
The result also matters for the balance of power in Washington. With Democrats set to control Congress next year, the party’s governors will have a larger say in how federal policy is put into practice at state level, from school funding to energy and data centre rules.
Trump’s role in the race will draw attention too. The Republican he backed lost, which adds to the questions about his standing after the party’s recent electoral losses. Trump is due to meet Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin in Shenzhen next week. China and the US have been discussing tariffs and farm trade ahead of that meeting, while at home US airspace reopened after a nationwide ground stop caused by the failure of the air traffic network.
For Alaska, the change of governor brings a new direction on schools, living costs and the fast-growing data centre industry, which Kreiss-Tomkins promised to regulate.
Kreiss-Tomkins will succeed term-limited Republican Governor Mike Dunleavy, who has served since 2018, and will be sworn in on December 7 as the youngest governor in Alaska’s history. The race was called on November 13 after ten days of counting, and the result stays unofficial until certification on November 25. He was also endorsed by three former governors: Democrat Tony Knowles, independent Bill Walker and Republican Frank Murkowski. His win lifts the Democrats to 30 governorships, up from 24 before the midterms, after flips in Georgia, Iowa, Nevada, Ohio and Texas as well as Alaska.
Frequently asked questions
Who won the Alaska governor election?
Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins, 37, a former Alaska state lawmaker, won the election according to projections by the Associated Press and NBC News.
When did Alaska last elect a Democratic governor?
Alaska last elected a Democratic governor in 1998, when Tony Knowles won re-election. He served until 2002.
How many governorships will the Democrats hold?
Kreiss-Tomkins’ victory gives the Democrats 30 state governorships next year, following the November 3 midterm elections.
What did Kreiss-Tomkins campaign on?
He campaigned on reducing the cost of living, full funding for public schools, and regulating data centre construction.
Who endorsed Kreiss-Tomkins?
Republican US Senator Lisa Murkowski endorsed him. She is one of the few Republicans willing to break with President Donald Trump on some foreign and domestic issues.
