By Fatma Younis
Sen. Lisa Murkowski endorsed Democratic candidate Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins for Alaska governor on Tuesday, breaking with Republican contenders a week before Election Day. The endorsement snubs Bernadette Wilson, who holds former President Donald Trump's backing, as well as former Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson and former state Attorney General Treg Taylor.
Murkowski Criticizes GOP Candidates as Too Partisan
Murkowski, a frequent Trump critic within the Senate GOP, told Anchorage NBC affiliate KTUU that the three Republican candidates are too partisan. She stressed the need for a governor who can work with the legislature to ensure Alaska's congressional delegation succeeds in Washington.
Kreiss-Tomkins Welcomes Bipartisan Support
Kreiss-Tomkins, a former state lawmaker, expressed gratitude for Murkowski's support, citing her integrity and willingness to work across the aisle. He said their conversations during the campaign gave her confidence in his ticket's problem-solving ability.
Race Dynamics and Trump's Influence
The contest to succeed term-limited Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy features ranked-choice voting. The NBC News Decision Desk rates the race as leaning Democratic, despite Trump winning Alaska in the last three presidential elections. Wilson dismissed Murkowski's endorsement, labeling Kreiss-Tomkins an ally of "extreme socialists."
Broader Political Fallout
Murkowski, not up for re-election until 2028, has endorsed Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan's re-election bid. The Trump administration recently sued Alaska election officials over ballot confusion involving another candidate named Dan J. Sullivan Jr. Murkowski criticized the lawsuit, prompting Trump to call her the "Republicans' Worst Senator" on social media.
