Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski Backs Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate in Final Week

Senator Lisa Murkowski announced her endorsement of Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins on Tuesday. This decision comes just one week before Election Day and effectively sidelines the Republican contenders in the race, including Bernadette Wilson, who holds the endorsement of President Donald Trump.

Murkowski, who has been a vocal critic of the President within the Republican Senate, stated that she supports Kreiss-Tomkins over Wilson. During an interview with the NBC affiliate KTUU in Anchorage, she described the Democrat as a young Alaskan who brings a fresh energy and a commonsense approach to governance. She emphasized his proven ability to work collaboratively across political lines.

The Senator expressed concern that the three Republican candidates on the ballot are too partisan for the role. She argued that the state needs a governor who can effectively work with the state Legislature. According to Murkowski, such cooperation is essential for the state’s delegation to achieve success in Washington, D.C.

Kreiss-Tomkins, a former state lawmaker, expressed his gratitude for the support from the sitting Senator. He told KTUU that he deeply respects Murkowski’s integrity and her history of working across the aisle in Congress. He stated that he admires these qualities and hopes to emulate them if elected governor. He also noted that he is grateful for her willingness to join the coalition his campaign is building.

The Democrat added that he and Murkowski have engaged in several conversations as his campaign progressed. He suggested that she reached a point of confidence in their ticket and their ability to solve problems for the state before making her decision public.

The race to succeed term-limited Republican Governor Mike Dunleavy features Kreiss-Tomkins competing against three Republican opponents. These include former Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson, former state Attorney General Treg Taylor, and Bernadette Wilson. Wilson received her endorsement from President Trump earlier this month.

The NBC News Decision Desk currently rates the governor’s race as leaning Democratic. This assessment comes despite the fact that President Trump won the state in the 2016, 2020, and 2024 presidential elections. Murkowski raised specific concerns in her interview, suggesting that Wilson might not be willing to work with Democrats at any stage of her administration.

Bernadette Wilson responded to the endorsement with a dismissive statement. She noted that Murkowski had long abandoned Alaska values, which made the support for what she called 'Just Keep Taxing' JKT unsurprising. Wilson argued that Kreiss-Tomkins’ allegiance lies with extreme socialists who are focused on fighting President Trump, potentially to the detriment of everyday Alaskans.

Senator Murkowski is not up for re-election until 2028. Earlier this year, she endorsed GOP Senator Dan S. Sullivan in his own re-election bid. That race is competitive and includes a candidate named Dan J. Sullivan Jr. as well as Democratic candidate Mary Peltola.

Tensions between the administration and state officials have also been a factor. Last week, the Trump administration sued Alaska election officials, arguing that the presence of Dan J. Sullivan Jr. on the ballot could mislead voters intending to support Dan S. Sullivan. Murkowski criticized this legal move on social media, stating that Alaskans do not need assistance in voting for their preferred candidates. She noted that the state had already clearly distinguished between the candidates. The following day, President Trump responded on social media, labeling Murkowski as the worst Senator among Republicans.