Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins Wins Alaska Governor Race, First Democrat Since 1998
Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins has won the Alaska governor’s race, the Associated Press called on Friday 13 November 2026, making the 37-year-old former state lawmaker the first Democrat elected governor of Alaska since 1998 and the youngest governor in the state’s history. He succeeds term-limited Republican Mike Dunleavy, who has held the office since 2018.
| Detail | Result |
|---|---|
| Winner | Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins (Democrat) |
| Age | 37 |
| First-choice vote share | 50.8% (as of Friday 13 November) |
| Closest rival | Bernadette Wilson (Republican), 28.7% |
| Other opponents | Dave Bronson and Treg Taylor (both Republican) |
| Outgoing governor | Mike Dunleavy (Republican, term-limited) |
| Takes office | Noon, 7 December 2026 |
| Lieutenant governor | Zac Johnson (independent) |
| Results certified | 25 November 2026 |
A Week Of Counting Ends In A Democratic Flip
The Associated Press race call came after more than a week of counting votes, including ballots sent by mail and votes from remote parts of the state. Under Alaska’s ranked-choice voting system, a candidate needs a majority of first-choice votes to win outright, and Kreiss-Tomkins cleared 50%, so no runoff was required. Of the 256,823 first-choice votes counted by the end of Thursday, his closest rival, Bernadette Wilson, held 28.7%.
He defeated three Republicans in all, including Wilson, who was endorsed by President Donald Trump. The results remain unofficial until they are certified on 25 November, with preliminary final results expected on 18 November.
From Sitka To The Governor’s Mansion
Kreiss-Tomkins was born on 7 February 1989 in Sitka, Alaska, where his mother, Connie Kreiss, worked as a family doctor. He attended Yale University for about three years before leaving in 2012 to run for the Alaska House, winning his first race by 32 votes after a recount. He served in the Alaska House from 2013 to 2023, representing Southeast island communities including Sitka, Petersburg, Craig and Hoonah.
In the legislature he chaired the House State Affairs Committee and sponsored the 2014 law that made 20 Alaska Native languages official state languages. He also founded the Alaska Fellows Program. He finished first in August’s open primary, after which a second Democrat, Tom Begich, withdrew from the race.
What The Result Means For The National Map
The Alaska result capped a strong midterm cycle for Democrats, who also saw Colorado Democrat Eileen Laubacher unseat Republican Lauren Boebert.
Democrats will now control 30 governorships, up from 24 before the 3 November midterms, after flipping six Republican-held seats: Alaska, Georgia, Iowa, Nevada, Ohio and Texas. Kreiss-Tomkins ran on affordability, full funding for public schools and making all oil and gas producers pay corporate income tax. He has said he wants a cabinet with Republicans, Democrats and independents, and emphasised a willingness to work across party lines. NBC News notes he will be the youngest sitting governor in the country next year.
What Happens Next In Juneau
Kreiss-Tomkins will be sworn in at noon on 7 December 2026, alongside independent lieutenant governor Zac Johnson. Until certification on 25 November, the result remains unofficial, though the Associated Press call and the vote margin leave no realistic path for the outcome to change.
Questions Answered About The Alaska Governor Race
Q: Who won the Alaska governor race in 2026? A: Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins, a 37-year-old former state representative from Sitka.
Q: How old is Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins? A: 37. He was born on 7 February 1989 in Sitka, Alaska.
Q: When does Kreiss-Tomkins take office? A: At noon on 7 December 2026.
Q: Who did he defeat? A: Three Republicans — Bernadette Wilson, Dave Bronson and Treg Taylor. Wilson was endorsed by President Donald Trump.
Q: Why did the result take so long? A: Counting took more than a week because of mail ballots and votes from remote communities. The Associated Press called the race on Friday 13 November.
