Why It Matters
Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins will become Alaska’s first Democratic governor since 1998 after defeating Trump-endorsed Republican Bernadette Wilson. The result changes control of Alaska’s governor’s mansion while the state remains reliably Republican in presidential elections.
What Happened
Kreiss-Tomkins, a former Alaska state lawmaker and former state representative from Sitka, defeated Wilson in Alaska’s gubernatorial election. The Associated Press called the race for Kreiss-Tomkins on Friday evening.
Wilson is a conservative activist and former political operative. President Donald Trump endorsed her during a Republican contest that also included former Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson and former Alaska Attorney General Treg Taylor.
Trump criticized Bronson and Taylor during the campaign. Gov. Mike Dunleavy was barred from seeking a third consecutive term.
Alaska used ranked-choice voting in the election. Under that system, voters rank candidates by preference. If no candidate wins a majority of first-choice votes, the lowest-performing candidates are eliminated and their ballots are redistributed according to voters’ next preferences. The process continues until one candidate secures a majority among continuing ballots.
By the Numbers
1998 — year of Alaska’s previous Democratic governor
third consecutive term — term Gov. Mike Dunleavy was barred from seeking
Friday evening — time the Associated Press called the race
Zoom Out
Alaska has occasionally elected Democrats and independents to statewide office, even as Republican presidential candidates have remained dominant in the state. The gubernatorial result places a Democrat in the office for the first time since 1998.
What’s Next
Kreiss-Tomkins will take over the governor’s mansion after the election, ending the current Republican hold on the office. The source material does not provide a transition schedule or additional post-election steps.