Murkowski crosses party lines to back Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins for Alaska governor

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, an Alaska Republican, has endorsed Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins for governor, a week before Election Day.

Murkowski also endorsed his running mate, Zac Johnson, a nonpartisan candidate for lieutenant governor, Fox News reported. In a statement released by the campaign, she said the state's future should not be held back by partisan divisions and called for a serious conversation about Alaska's finances, energy costs and economic growth.

She said Alaska needs a governor who will work with the Legislature, and faulted Gov. Mike Dunleavy's administration for leaving federal money unused, citing the Alaska Marine Highway System, Alaska's News Source reported.

The field

Source: Alaska's News Source.

Trump endorsed Wilson on Oct. 13. Wilson and Trump have urged Bronson and Taylor to drop out so the Republican vote is not split under Alaska's ranked-choice system, according to Alaska's News Source.

Reaction

Wilson said Murkowski had abandoned Alaska values. Bronson said the senator was entitled to her choice, and Taylor said he was disappointed, the station reported. Kreiss-Tomkins, a former state legislator from Sitka, said he was honored by the support.

Murkowski has broken with her party before, including endorsing Democrat Mary Peltola in the 2024 House race. Peltola is now challenging Sen. Dan Sullivan in a Senate race Fox News rates a toss-up.