Rural Alaska lawmakers unite behind JKT, highlighting his commitment to lowering costs, defending subsistence, and ensuring every region of Alaska has a voice in state government
October 30, 2026
Today, Alaska governor candidate Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins (JKT) announced endorsements from all six members of the Alaska Legislature's Bush Caucus, who represent rural and predominantly Alaska Native communities across Western, Northern, and Southwestern Alaska.
The endorsements include House Speaker Bryce Edgmon; Representatives Neal Foster, Nellie Jimmie, and Robyn Frier; and Senators Donny Olson and Lyman Hoffman. Together, these legislators represent communities across rural Alaska, where Alaska Native cultures and traditions are an integral part of our state.
“As Speaker of the House and a member of the Bush Caucus, I know how important it is to have a governor who understands the unique challenges facing rural Alaska,” said Speaker Bryce Edgmon. “Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins understands that our communities need a strong voice and that good leadership means working across party lines to get things done. I believe he will be a strong partner to the Bush Caucus and a governor who puts all Alaskans first. I'm proud to endorse him.”
The Bush Caucus has a longstanding tradition of bringing legislators together across party lines to advocate for rural Alaska and Alaska Native communities. "I’m honored to have the endorsement of the Bush Caucus," said Kreiss-Tomkins. "I've had the privilege of working alongside many of these legislators, and I have great respect for the people they represent. Whether it's heating homes, keeping schools open, celebrating Native language and culture, or protecting subsistence, rural Alaska deserves a governor who understands these challenges and is committed to addressing them."
During JKT’s decade of service in the Alaska legislature, where he represented rural Southeast Alaska communities, he authored and passed the law making Alaska’s 20 Native languages official languages of the state, alongside English. JKT has prioritized listening to the concerns of rural Alaskans during a series of campaign swings including a 450-mile Yukon River campaign trip, 100-mile Kuskokwim campaign trip, 300-mile Arctic snowmachine trip, as well as visiting the North Slope during the fall whaling season.
JKT’s growing cross-partisan coalition also includes the Alaska AFL-CIO, International Union of Operating Engineers Local 302, Western States Carpenters Union, Laborers’ International Union of North America Locals 341, 942, and 71, Public Safety Employees Association Local 803, Anchorage Police Department Employees Association PAC, Alaska Professional Fire Fighters Association, Teamsters Local 959, UA Local 367, IBEW Local 1547, IUPAT Local 1959, Inlandboatmen’s Union of the Pacific, NEA-Alaska, UAW Region 6 and Local 1907 (Alaska Graduate Workers Association), Alaska State Employees Association/AFSCME Local 52 PAC, Alaska Public Employees Association/American Federation of Teachers, and SEIU 775; over 50 Alaska Native leaders; over 40 commercial fisheries leaders; the commercial fishermen’s organizations Kodiak Seiners Association, Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association, and Cordova District Fishermen United; Senator Lisa Murkowski; former Gov. Tony Knowles; former Gov. Frank Murkowski; former Gov. Bill Walker; former Senate President Rick Halford (R); former State Senator Lesil McGuire (R); former State Senator Gary Wilken (R); former State Representative Jesse Sumner; former State Representative Anna MacKinnon, and over 80 elected Republicans, Democrats, and independents from Ketchikan to Kotzebue who are backing JKT’s vision to get Alaska back on track.
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About Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins
Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins (JKT), born and raised in Sitka, represented Southeast Alaska’s island communities in the State House for 10 years. He first won election at age 23 after leaving college without a degree to launch a grassroots campaign, traveling by ferry and floatplane to knock on nearly every door across Southeast Alaska, defeating an established incumbent by 32 votes.
A member of the Bipartisan Coalition in the House, he worked across the aisle to protect public education, reduce trawl bycatch and protect our fisheries, invest in infrastructure, revitalize Alaska Native languages, and protect the Permanent Fund from overspending. After a decade in the legislature, Kreiss-Tomkins retired in 2023 and spent two years working for a national nonprofit on science and technology policy on Capitol Hill, as well as working on campaigns across Alaska and the country.
Since leaving the legislature, he's seen what all Alaskans have seen: a distracted state government failing to solve Alaska’s biggest problems. Prices keep rising. Basic infrastructure is neglected. Schools struggle or close.
Alaska needs new energy and new leadership. JKT is running for governor to support our schools, lower costs, and give families a reason to stay—so the next generation will also call Alaska home.
To learn more, visit jktforak.com.
About Zac Johnson
Zac Johnson was born in Anchorage and spent his early years in a dry cabin his parents built along Turnagain Arm. In 2000, at age 19, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps as an infantryman. He served two deployments, including during the invasion of Iraq in 2003.
In 2006, Zac returned to Alaska and enrolled at the University of Alaska Anchorage. He volunteered as a firefighter and EMT with the Girdwood Fire Department before joining the Alaska State Troopers in 2013. As a state pilot and trooper with the Fairbanks-based Rural Unit, he worked missions from Dillingham to Arctic Village, and nearly every community in between. He later became a Tactical Flight Officer flying remote search and rescues, fishery patrols, and drug busts with federal law enforcement.
In 2023, Zac won election to the Anchorage Assembly as an independent. He has served as a strong advocate for public safety and responsible government. Today, Zac lives in South Anchorage with his wife, Liz, and continues to lead with Alaskan values of compassion, community, and hard work.
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