Murkowski Backs Democrat Kreiss Tomkins in Alaska Governor Race

Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski has endorsed Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins in Alaska, breaking with President Donald Trump, who supports Republican Bernadette Wilson. Murkowski announced her backing Tuesday, October 27, 2026, citing the need for bipartisan cooperation as voters prepare to choose a successor to term-limited Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy.

The endorsement adds to Kreiss-Tomkins' support in a four-way contest against Wilson, former Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson and former state Attorney General Treg Taylor. A September 2026 New York Times/Siena poll cited by Alaska's News Source placed Kreiss-Tomkins first with about 40% of likely voters, followed by Wilson at 20%, Bronson at 15% and Taylor at 11%.

Murkowski explained her decision in an interview with Anchorage NBC affiliate KTUU and in a statement released by Kreiss-Tomkins' campaign. She praised the former Sitka state lawmaker's approach to governing and questioned whether the Republican candidates would cooperate effectively with Democrats in the Legislature.

In the campaign statement, Murkowski said, "Our future is too important to be hamstrung by partisan divisions. Jonathan understands that governing requires listening to people with different perspectives and finding common ground to solve the problems all of us face."

Kreiss-Tomkins, who represented a relatively conservative state House district for a decade, has made cross-party cooperation central to his campaign. He has pledged to include Republicans and independents in his cabinet alongside Democrats.

"I'm honored to have Senator Murkowski's support. Alaskans deserve a government that can work through disagreements and make progress on the issues that matter," Kreiss-Tomkins said in the campaign statement.

Murkowski also emphasized the importance of cooperation between Alaska's governor and its legislative delegation in Washington, D.C. She argued that the state needs leadership capable of working across party lines to advance its priorities.

"We need a governor who's going to work with the Legislature," Murkowski told KTUU. "That has got to happen for the delegation to be successful back in Washington, D.C."

She also criticized Dunleavy's administration over its handling of federal funding opportunities, specifically raising concerns about the Alaska Marine Highway System. Murkowski said the state had failed to capitalize on some opportunities developed through federal efforts.

"I have found fault. I have found fault with the Dunleavy administration. I think that they have left federal money on the table. I think in certain areas, where we have worked hard to put opportunities from the federal side, here, into the state, the state has failed with it," Murkowski said.

The senator has a history of breaking with her party. She endorsed Democrat Mary Peltola's 2024 reelection campaign for the U.S. House, although Peltola lost to Republican Nick Begich.

This year, Murkowski backed Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan for reelection despite Peltola's candidacy in a separate Senate race.

Murkowski's endorsement has intensified her longstanding conflict with Trump, who endorsed Wilson on October 13. Trump has repeatedly criticized the senator and attacked Alaska's ranked-choice voting system, describing it as a "DEMOCRAT SCAM."

In a social media post, Trump called Murkowski the "Republicans' Worst Senator, by far," and described her as a "DISGRACE to Alaska and our Country." The criticism followed Murkowski's objections to the administration's lawsuit against Alaska election officials over the ballot appearance of another candidate named Dan J. Sullivan Jr.

Trump has urged Republican candidates Dave Bronson and Treg Taylor to withdraw from the gubernatorial race to avoid dividing Republican support. Wilson has also called on both men to leave the contest.

Bronson responded to Murkowski's endorsement by defending voters' right to choose among candidates. He said, "My loyalty, however, remains with the people of Alaska not any political figure or endorsement."

Bronson added that he would continue presenting his record and experience directly to voters. He said the campaign should focus on Alaska's challenges rather than political endorsements.

Taylor expressed disappointment that Murkowski had backed a Democrat. He also criticized former governors Bill Walker and Tony Knowles for supporting Kreiss-Tomkins, arguing that their records on taxes and Permanent Fund dividends raised concerns about the Democrat's fiscal priorities.

"Alaskans deserve leadership that protects their PFDs, respects their hard-earned money, and prioritizes fiscal responsibility over additional taxation," Taylor said in a statement.

Wilson also rejected the significance of Murkowski's endorsement, criticizing the senator's political positions and accusing Kreiss-Tomkins of aligning with socialist interests. Wilson has Trump's backing, making the endorsement a clear divide between the president and one of the Senate's more independent Republicans.

Kreiss-Tomkins has also received endorsements from several former Republican state legislators and former Alaska Gov. Frank Murkowski, the senator's father. Frank Murkowski joined former governors Walker, an independent, and Knowles, a Democrat, in supporting the candidate in an Anchorage Daily News opinion article.

The governor's race is rated as leaning Democratic by the NBC News Decision Desk. Kreiss-Tomkins has also raised more campaign money than each of his three Republican opponents, according to Alaska's News Source.