Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins has won Alaska's gubernatorial election, ending the Republican Party's hold on the state's governor's office for the first time since 1998. His victory comes as Democrats make significant gains across state governments in the 2026 US midterm elections.
Kreiss-Tomkins, a former state lawmaker, defeated three Republican candidates, including one endorsed by US President Donald Trump. His victory means Democrats will control the governor's office in 30 states, after flipping several states that had been under Republican control for years, including Iowa, Georgia, Ohio and Texas.
The 37-year-old, popularly known as JKT, is making a political comeback three years after leaving the Alaska state House. He built support by travelling across the state and focusing his campaign on affordability, public education and economic issues.
Who is Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins?
Kreiss-Tomkins is a former Alaska state representative who returned to electoral politics after leaving the state House three years ago.
During his campaign, he called for full funding of public schools and proposed requiring all oil and gas producers to pay corporate income tax. He also advocated a moratorium on…