Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins Announces Run for Governor of Alaska

SITKA, Alaska — Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins, a born-and-raised Sitkan and former state representative who served Southeast Alaska island communities for 10 years in the Alaska House, announced today that he is running for governor of Alaska to deliver a more affordable, prosperous, and brighter future for Alaskan families across the state.

“This campaign will be about working together, across political and geographic divides, to get Alaska back on track,” Kreiss-Tomkins said. "In Juneau, I learned that Alaska is at its best when our leaders work together to solve problems. But for too many years, we've had a governor who has refused to work with the legislature to solve the problems we face, from our declining school system, to our economy, to rising costs. I’m running for governor to tackle those problems head on—with anyone and everyone who will join me—to create an Alaska that is affordable and has real opportunity so our kids can build their lives here at home.

Kreiss-Tomkins, known to many Alaskans as JKT, is running to address the urgent challenges the state faces — rising costs, struggling schools, and high energy prices. He believes these challenges require cooperation and solutions-oriented leadership. 

JKT’s five terms in the Alaska House began with a grassroot, upset victory in 2012 against a long-time incumbent. Kreiss-Tomkins went on to build a reputation for independence, integrity, and results, which voters rewarded with four subsequent re-election victories in which JKT dramatically outperformed top-of-ticket Democrats on each ballot.

During his time in the legislature, Kreiss-Tomkins worked across party lines to protect Alaska’s fisheries, defend the $86 billion Permanent Fund, support working families, reduce trawl bycatch, revitalize Native languages, and stand up for rural communities. He left the legislature in 2022, and proceeded to work on science and technology policy on Capitol Hill for a national policy nonprofit, as well as working on campaigns, both in Alaska and around the country.