Pecohub Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins will be Alaska’s next governor after defeating three Republicans, ending more than two decades without a Democrat in the office.
The former state lawmaker, who is 37 and often referred to as JKT, beat Bernadette Wilson, Dave Bronson and Treg Taylor.
His win means Democrats will hold the governor’s office in 30 states, among them several they flipped after years of Republican control in places such as Iowa, Georgia, Ohio and Texas.
The result was part of a national midterm elections wave that gave the party sweeping wins in state governments across the country.
Kreiss-Tomkins completed a political comeback three years after leaving the state House.
He traveled throughout Alaska to build his coalition and focused on affordability and advocated for full funding of public schools and called for all oil and gas producers to pay corporate income tax.
Kreiss-Tomkins also sought a moratorium on new data centers until state lawmakers pass regulations for their development. He said Alaska had become “broken” under eight years of outgoing Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy and needed a change.
Among the issues he cited was a state ferry system that he said has been left in shambles, with routes to many communities cut drastically.
The ferry is a key mode of transportation for southeast Alaska communities not connected by roads, some of which also have limited air service.
Kreiss-Tomkins emphasized a willingness to work across party lines and said he wanted a Cabinet with Republicans, Democrats and independents.
“If they’re competent, if they’re service-minded, if they’re entrepreneurial, if they’re problem-solvers, you’re on the team. Game on,” he said during a candidate forum last month. “Let’s go, and let’s get Alaska back on track.”
Kreiss-Tomkins said compromise “is a virtue, not a dirty word,” and said he saw the mission of the new governor as working with lawmakers to resolve longstanding problems in the state.
