Politics · October 28, 2026
Murkowski backs Alaska Democrat for governor
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) has endorsed Democratic candidate Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins in the Alaska gubernatorial race, one week before the election. Murkowski's endorsement of the former state lawmaker comes as he runs against several Republican candidates, including Bernadette Wilson, who is backed by President Donald Trump. In her endorsement, Murkowski emphasized the need for a 'commonsense' leader capable of overcoming partisan divisions to address the state's fiscal and energy challenges. Kreiss-Tomkins welcomed the support, citing his respect for Murkowski's record of bipartisanship. The race aims to replace the term-limited Gov. Mike Dunleavy.
Read the original coverage
- The HillMBFC: Least Biased
Murkowski backs Alaska Democrat for governor
Read at The Hill ↗ - Washington ExaminerMBFC: Right-Center
GOP Sen. Lisa Murkowski backs Democrat in Alaska gubernatorial race
Read at Washington Examiner ↗ - NBC NewsMBFC: Left-Center
GOP Sen. Lisa Murkowski endorses Democratic candidate in Alaska governor’s race
Read at NBC News ↗ - HuffPostMBFC: Left
Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski Endorses Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins For Alaska Governor
Read at HuffPost ↗ - Raw StoryMBFC: Left
GOP senator torpedoes Trump-backed candidate a week before Election Day: report
Read at Raw Story ↗
Reported across the spectrum
- Sen. Lisa Murkowski endorsed Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins for Alaska governor.
- The endorsement occurred on Tuesday, approximately one week before Election Day.
- Kreiss-Tomkins is a former state lawmaker.
- Alaska uses a ranked choice voting system.
- Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins is the only Democrat on the gubernatorial ballot.
Reported by only some outlets
- Bernadette Wilson is a Republican candidate in the race backed by President Donald Trump.
- Zac Johnson, an Anchorage Assemblyman and independent, is Kreiss-Tomkins' running mate.
- Murkowski previously endorsed Democrat Rep. Mary Peltola in 2024.
- The Cook Political Report rates the Alaska governor's race as 'leans Democrat'.
- Murkowski is supporting Republican Dan S. Sullivan for Senate in the current cycle.
- There are three Republican candidates on the gubernatorial ballot.
Left-leaning outlets tend to emphasize…
characterize Murkowski's endorsement as a direct blow to President Trump's influence, frequently highlighting her past votes against him and her history of breaking with the GOP to support Democrats.
Right-leaning outlets tend to emphasize…
note that the endorsement could influence the race's outcome under the ranked choice system while highlighting Murkowski's calls for fiscal responsibility and energy focus.
Centrist outlets tend to focus on…
focus on the bipartisan nature of the endorsement and Murkowski's stated desire to move past partisan gridlock in Alaska.
Where coverage diverges
Coverage diverges along left/right lines — see Framing tab for specifics.
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