ANCHORAGE POLICE DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION PAC ENDORSES KREISS-TOMKINS FOR GOVERNOR
Sole endorsement recognizes only ticket in the governor’s race with public safety experience
September 23, 2026
Today, Democratic candidate for Alaska governor Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins (JKT) and lieutenant governor running mate Zac Johnson announced the sole endorsement of the Anchorage Police Department Employees Association PAC (APDEA PAC).
APDEA represents over 500 professionals at the Anchorage Police Department — the largest law enforcement agency in Alaska. In addition to law enforcement, APDEA actively supports youth programs and victim advocacy initiatives.
In announcing the endorsement, APDEA PAC cited Zac Johnson’s eight years of service in the Alaska State Troopers, which make JKT and Johnson the only ticket in the governor’s race with professional experience in public safety. Zac began his career as a State Trooper in the Patrol Unit, stationed in Fairbanks, before becoming a State Pilot and joining the Special Emergency Response Team. Later, as a Tactical Flight Officer based in Anchorage, he flew remote search and rescues, fishery patrols, and drug busts with federal partners.
“Both JKT and Zac will work to improve the benefits and working conditions for Alaska employees, creating an environment that both recruits and retains talent,” said Dennis Lasley, APDEA Vice-President and PAC Chair. “Zac also has public safety experience, which will help strengthen the relationship between this administration and the men and women who serve on the front lines. This is the only ticket in the race with actual law enforcement experience, and it shows. APDEA PAC is proud to endorse Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins and Zac Johnson for governor and lieutenant governor.”
“Zac and I are honored to earn the support of APDEA PAC,” said Kreiss-Tomkins. “Anchorage’s men and women in law enforcement work tirelessly to keep our communities safe. We need leaders in Juneau who will support law enforcement as they work to keep Alaska safe, work across the aisle to restore a decent pension for public servants, and lower costs so all working Alaskans can afford to stay here.”
“I’m proud of my eight years as an Alaska law enforcement officer,” said Johnson, a graduate of the Alaska AFL-CIO’s Arthur A. Almon Labor Candidate School and former member of the Public Safety Employees Association. “It is difficult to appreciate the dedication and sacrifice the job demands until you’ve lived it. JKT and I believe the people who keep us safe deserve not just our respect, but our commitment to protecting their quality of life.”
In addition to APDEA PAC, JKT’s growing cross-partisan coalition also includes the Alaska AFL-CIO, Teamsters Local 959, UA Local 367, IBEW Local 1547, IUPAT Local 1959, Alaska Professional Fire Fighters Association, NEA-Alaska, 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 fishermens’ organizations Kodiak Seiners Association, Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association, and Cordova District Fishermen United; former Gov. Tony Knowles (D); former Senate President Rick Halford (R); and over 60 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 for 10 years in the State House. 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 witnessed: a distracted state government that is failing to solve Alaska’s big 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, bring down costs, and give families a reason to stay — so that 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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