A lifelong Republican and a 60-year resident of the Chugiak-Eagle River area, former Sen. Halford served four years in the Alaska House of Representatives and twenty years in the Alaska Senate, including multiple terms as both Senate President and Senate Majority Leader. He was involved in the creation of the Permanent Fund management system and dividend, and funding the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA), before retiring in 2003.

Fmr. Sen. Halford’s endorsement signals growing enthusiasm across the political spectrum for JKT and Johnson’s cross-partisan campaign to get Alaska back on track.

IBEW 1547 represents more than 4,200 workers across the state of Alaska in the electrical industry and many other diverse classifications and occupations. IBEW 1547 works to ensure all workers in the electrical industry and beyond are organized with better wages, a voice on the job, and safe working conditions.

“We know with JKT, we have an honest partner that will work with us to defend and expand collective bargaining rights, build Alaska’s electrical infrastructure, and help us in our mission to organize every Alaska electrical worker. JKT is the candidate in this race that can get Alaska back on track, put workers first, and deliver for our membership,” said IBEW 1547 Business Manager Brannon Nichols.

Today, Democratic candidate for Alaska governor Tom Begich and his lieutenant governor running mate Julia Hnilicka withdrew from the general election ballot and endorsed fellow Democratic candidate Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins (JKT) and his lieutenant governor running mate Zac Johnson.

Begich and Hnilicka’s bold and selfless decision clears the path for JKT and Johnson, the first-place finishers in the primary, to run as the lone change ticket against third, fourth, and fifth place finishers Bernadette Wilson, Dave Bronson, and Treg Taylor.

“IUPAT knows a Champion of Labor when we see one. Jonathan has earned this endorsement through an incredible work ethic and an impeccable dedication to the policies that support the working class of Alaska. We’re proud to endorse him for governor,” said Bronson Frye, Business Representative for IUPAT Local 1959.

“We’re proud to stand with working Alaskans and earn IUPAT Local 1959’s endorsement,” said Kreiss-Tomkins. “It’s time to lower everyday costs, build more housing, and get Alaska back on track.”

Today, Democratic candidate for Alaska governor Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins (JKT) announced the sole endorsement of the Alaska AFL-CIO, the state’s largest labor organization. The Alaska AFL-CIO, established in 1943, represents 50,000 union members belonging to over 85 affiliated unions statewide, including building trades workers, service workers, maritime workers, and public employees.

Alaska AFL-CIO’s endorsement comes after four of its affiliate unions previously endorsed JKT. Alaska AFL-CIO president Joelle Hall issued the following statement:

With over 120,000 votes counted, Democratic candidate for Alaska governor Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins (JKT) is leading the 17-candidate primary field by a significant margin. Kreiss-Tomkins has received over 26,000 votes, 21.8% of the total counted so far.

As we wait for every vote to be counted, the results already make clear that Alaskans are demanding change after years of schools struggling, fisheries crashing, costs rising, and too many Alaskans feeling like they have to leave Alaska to build a future.

After spending the last six months speaking with tens of thousands of Alaskans, JKT is making his final case for a new generation of leadership that will deliver better schools, healthy fisheries, and lower everyday costs for Alaskans.

Highlights from JKT’s primary campaign, which he launched on February 4, include:

Today, Democratic candidate for Alaska governor Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins (JKT) announced the endorsement of 40 Alaskan fisheries leaders. The endorsers, who come from communities across the state, support JKT’s vision to conserve Alaska’s fisheries resources, prioritize science-based management, and restore balance to the Board of Fish. 

“Fisheries are the backbone of coastal Alaska. I represented commercial, sport, and subsistence fishermen for a decade in the legislature. Their support means a tremendous amount to me personally,” Kreiss-Tomkins said. “It’s time to bring back balance to fisheries management and put Alaskans’ interests first.”

Today, Democratic candidate for Alaska governor Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins (JKT) announced a new slate of 51 endorsements from Alaska Native leaders from across the state. The endorsers — representing communities from Naknek to Klawock — are backing JKT’s vision to support Alaska’s schools, protect fisheries, and lower everyday costs like healthcare, electricity, fuel, and housing. 

“I’m honored to have the support of so many leaders in Alaska Native communities, who have stewarded our lands and waters since time immemorial,” Kreiss-Tomkins said. “We need a governor who will defend subsistence, support Native culture and language, and stand up for rural Alaska.”

Democratic candidate for Alaska governor Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins (JKT), who in July completed a four-day, 11-village, 450-mile campaign swing down the Yukon River by boat, today released a 20-minute documentary shot during the trip that captures the stories and way of life of the Middle and Lower Yukon.

“From Day 1, we wanted this campaign to be for all of Alaska — including rural Alaska,” said Kreiss-Tomkins. “This film capturing the stories and concerns from the Yukon villages is a small way for us to follow through on that commitment to rural Alaska.”

Yesterday, Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins (JKT)’s campaign for Alaska governor released its 7-day financial report to the Alaska Public Offices Commission. With a total of $323,667.48 raised since the previous reporting deadline of July 17, the newest numbers show that JKT has raised the most dollars (nearly $2.2 million) from the most individual Alaskans (1,775) located in 71 communities across the state — more than any other candidate in the field.

In addition, 79% of contributions were $100 or less, the highest percentage of any Democrat.

Today, Democratic candidate for Alaska governor Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins (JKT) announced a new slate of 15 endorsements from current and former elected leaders across Alaska, expanding the broad coalition backing his campaign to over 60 people, the largest number of elected or formerly elected endorsers publicized by any candidate.

“I'm grateful to have the support of leaders from across Alaska who have spent their careers serving their communities,” Kreiss-Tomkins said. “These endorsements prove what this campaign is all about: bringing people together to solve problems and get Alaska back on track.”

Today, Democratic candidate for Alaska governor Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins (JKT) announced that he has held public events in every borough across Alaska — 19 in all — since launching his campaign on February 4. JKT has traveled approximately 25,000 miles across the state to 51 communities (and counting), which is slightly more than the distance around Earth, and an average of more than 130 miles per day.

“From day one, we committed to making this campaign a campaign for all of Alaska, including those parts of our state that can be easily forgotten or overlooked,” said Kreiss-Tomkins. “Whether it's getting to King Salmon in Bristol Bay Borough or False Pass in Aleutians East, or the villages of Pilot Station and Huslia, we have not compromised on taking our campaign to the people, no matter how remote or rural.”

NEA-Alaska represents more than 11,000 Alaskans — including K-12 teachers, paraprofessionals, nurses, food service workers, custodians, administrative assistants, and more — who educate and care for the next generation of Alaskans.

Kreiss-Tomkins entered the race for governor with one of the most pro-schools platforms of any candidate. This includes a plan to pass a constitutional amendment to “forward fund” education, create a defined benefit retirement system, and get cell phones out of classrooms.

Today, Democratic candidate for Alaska governor Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins (JKT) released the results of a new poll by Change Research. JKT’s support climbed to 15%, two points behind Democrat Tom Begich and a statistical tie for first place, as the margin is well within the poll’s +/- 4.3% margin of error.

Notably, JKT is the only candidate in the field with net-positive favorability, meaning that more voters view him favorably than unfavorably. On this measure, JKT far outperforms every other candidate, with +12% favorability.

Today, Democratic candidate for Alaska governor Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins (JKT) and lieutenant governor running mate Zac Johnson announced the endorsement of the Alaska State Employees Association (ASEA)/AFSCME Local 52 PAC.

“I’m proud to earn the backing of ASEA/AFSCME Local 52 PAC as we support the rights of the workers and public servants — from our correctional system to ADF&G — who keep our state running,” said Kreiss-Tomkins.

Sen. Claman, who has represented West Anchorage in the Alaska Legislature since 2015, and previously served as a member of the Anchorage Assembly and Acting Mayor of Anchorage, was the third and only other Democrat in the governor’s race before withdrawing last month. His endorsement, in combination with this week’s campaign finance reports showing that JKT’s campaign has more Alaskan donors than any other campaign for governor, signals a surge in momentum with fewer than four weeks left until the primary.

As a senior member of Alaska’s Democratic Party, Sen. Claman’s endorsement shows an enthusiasm for passing the baton to a new generation of political leadership in Alaska.

JKT proposes a moratorium on all new data centers in the state until the legislature can pass comprehensive regulation on data center development. In addition, JKT’s plan would require local approval and ensure that Alaskans don’t shoulder electric rate increases or subsidize data center development.

Building on his background and record supporting AI regulation, Kreiss-Tomkins is also proposing state action on the risks of AI itself: holding AI companies liable in Alaska courts for harms their products cause, banning deepfakes, requiring the disclosure of AI in political ads, cracking down on AI-enabled fraud and voice cloning aimed at kids and seniors, enforcing protections for children against harmful AI content, and requiring a human behind every state decision.

Yesterday, Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins (JKT)’s campaign for Alaska governor released its July financial report to the Alaska Public Offices Commission. Since launching his campaign in February, JKT has raised the most dollars ($1,847,331.28) from the most Alaskan donors (1,569) located in 67 communities across the state — more than any other candidate in the field.

JKT’s campaign reported the lowest average contribution of any Democrat. In addition, 79% of contributions were $100 or less, the highest percentage of any Democrat.

With $503,914.11 in the bank, JKT has more cash on hand than any other candidate.

Democratic candidate for Alaska governor Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins (JKT), who recently completed a four-day, 450-mile campaign swing down the Yukon River by boat, today released four videos sharing the stories of Alaskans on the Middle and Lower Yukon River. JKT’s journey began in the Interior community of Galena and ended in the village of St. Mary’s in the Yukon River Delta.

JKT visited eleven Yukon River villages in total: Galena, Koyukuk, Nulato, Kaltag, Grayling, Anvik, Holy Cross, Russian Mission, Marshall, Pilot Station, and St. Mary’s. Most of the villages have not been visited by a candidate for governor in recent memory. JKT heard from rural Alaskans who contend with skyrocketing costs ($20/gallon milk, $12/gallon gas), minimal or nonexistent law enforcement, substandard infrastructure, and threats to subsistence fishing and hunting, including the devastated Yukon Chinook and chum salmon runs.