Early results show JKT and Zac Johnson on track to exceed 50% of the vote, with gains across Alaska’s 40 House districts; official results remain pending
November 6, 2026
Following Tuesday's general election, early returns indicate that Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins (JKT) and lieutenant governor running mate Zac Johnson are on track to win outright in Alaska's gubernatorial race, following a statewide, people-powered campaign.
Addressing hundreds of supporters in Anchorage on election night, JKT thanked the thousands of Alaskans who helped build the campaign.
"What a night this is for the future of our state," said Kreiss-Tomkins. "I'm so excited to get to work with Zac and so many other Alaskans to solve some problems and get our state back on track."
The campaign's internal election-night projections indicate the ticket is on track to receive more than 50% of the vote, enough to win in the first round of Alaska's ranked-choice voting system. If elected, JKT would become the youngest governor in Alaska history and the youngest sitting governor in the United States. He would also be the youngest person to take office as a U.S. governor in nearly 19 years, since Louisiana's Bobby Jindal assumed office at age 36 in January 2008. Official election results remain pending.
As of this release, more than 210,000 votes have been counted, with an estimated 70,000 to 85,000 remaining outstanding, mostly absentee and early in-person ballots. Total turnout is projected to exceed the 2022 gubernatorial election. The Alaska Division of Elections has scheduled its next major ballot release for November 11.
Reflecting on the campaign's more than 10,000 donors and broad coalition of supporters from across the state, JKT emphasized that the night's results represented a collective achievement and an opportunity to deliver meaningful change for Alaskans.
"This campaign was people-powered from the very beginning. It was never me, but we," said Kreiss-Tomkins. "This is really a collective achievement — all of us. And ultimately, it's not just winning for winning's sake. This is all a means to an end. And that end is making this state better, and solving problems, and helping people."
Looking ahead, JKT outlined his priorities for the next administration, including strengthening public education, delivering a balanced state budget, and restoring essential state services such as the Alaska Marine Highway System. He also reaffirmed his commitment to working across political and geographic divides to address Alaska's challenges.
"We want to work together across party lines, D or I or R, majority caucus or minority caucus, rural or urban, we don't care," said Kreiss-Tomkins. "We are interested in finding common ground in advancing Alaska, and we'll work with anyone to do it."
As additional election returns are reported, JKT and Johnson will continue preparing for the transition, with plans to begin work immediately on the priorities outlined throughout the campaign.
JKT closed his remarks by reflecting on the responsibility of public service and the opportunity ahead for Alaska.
"Every day you're in elected office is a precious commodity," said Kreiss-Tomkins. "The next four years, for Zac and me, every day is going to be a precious commodity to solve problems in this state and restore the promise and optimism and hope. I am so excited to get to work to restore that hope and promise for Alaska and make it a place that we love to live in and a place that we're excited for its future.”
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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 on science and technology policy for a national nonprofit on Capitol Hill, as well as running 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 2003 invasion of Iraq.
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-rescue missions, 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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