Murkowski snubs Trump-backed Alaska candidate, endorses Democrat for governor

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, has thrown her support behind Democratic Alaska gubernatorial candidate Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins as well as his nonpartisan running mate for lieutenant governor Zac Johnson.

"I am announcing my endorsement of Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins," Murkowski told KTUU, describing the candidate as "a common-sense guy who has a known ability to be working together."

"Our future is too important to be hamstrung by partisan divisions," Murkowski said, according to a press release from the Kreiss-Tomkins campaign

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U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, arrives to a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on July 21, 2026, in Washington, D.C. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

"Jonathan understands that governing requires listening to people with different perspectives and finding common ground to solve the problems all of us face. Alaska needs a serious conversation about our fiscal future, as well as a focus on the cost of energy and growing our economy. I believe Jonathan is committed to working toward solutions that serve all Alaskans, regardless of party," she added.

"I encourage Alaskans of every political stripe, whether Republicans, independents, or Democrats, to take a close look at Jonathan and Zac. Alaska needs leaders who will put our state first, and I’m proud to support them."

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In this photo made with a smartphone, Republican Bernadette Wilson, who is running for governor in Alaska, speaks during a candidate forum in Juneau, Alaska, Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026, as Democratic candidate Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins looks on. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)

While there are multiple Republicans running in the ranked-choice voting contest, President Donald Trump has endorsed Bernadette Wilson.

"I'm honored to have Senator Murkowski’s support," Kreiss-Tomkins noted, according his campaign's release.

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Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, speaks to reporters as the Senate votes on amendments to a reconciliation package, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. on June 5, 2026. (Nathan Posner/Anadolu via Getty Images)

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"Alaskans deserve a government that can work through disagreements and make progress on the issues that matter. I am committed to working with our congressional delegation, the legislature, industry, and communities across the state to move Alaska forward. That work requires cooperation, not political conflict," he added.