REPUBLICAN FORMER SENATE PRESIDENT RICK HALFORD ENDORSES KREISS-TOMKINS FOR GOVERNOR
Longtime Alaska Republican leader is all in for Kreiss-Tomkins and Johnson’s cross-partisan vision for change, competence, and ethical leadership
September 8, 2026
Today, Alaska governor candidate Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins (JKT) and lieutenant governor running mate Zac Johnson announced the endorsement of Republican Former Alaska Senate President and Senate Majority Leader, and House Majority Leader Rick Halford.
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.
Fmr. Sen. Halford also cited a belief that JKT is the only candidate with deep experience in, understanding of, and commitment to rural Alaska. JKT represented a rural, coastal Southeastern district in the legislature. He is the only 2026 governor candidate who has traveled to all 19 Alaska boroughs and over 50 communities, including a 300-mile snowmachine trip to Northwest Arctic villages and a 450-mile boat trip down the Yukon River. Former Sen. Halford is a commercial pilot and retired hunting guide with over 10,000 Alaska flight hours. He regularly commutes to Bristol Bay in a Cessna 185 airplane that he’s owned for more than 50 years.
Fmr. Sen. Halford issued the following statement:
“In his decade of experience as a Sitka legislator, Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins demonstrated that he understands ‘all of Alaska’ means voters of all political persuasions. Of the four candidates for governor, JKT is the only one who has proven he’ll work effectively with constituents and colleagues regardless of party or ideology. Republicans and independents voted to elect JKT five times in a rural district that voted for Donald Trump because he advanced the quality of life in Southeast Alaska, where he was born and raised.
JKT listens first, considers divergent opinions, and works to bring Alaskans together. He has demonstrated that he’s focused on solving problems, building opportunity, and improving Alaskans’ lives. JKT has the experience, energy and skill to build off his success as a leader for Southeast and expand his vision to all of Alaska.
I’m also glad to support JKT’s running mate Zac Johnson, a Marine Corps combat veteran and a former State Trooper. As a pilot with the Fairbanks-based Rural Unit, he spent time in many of the bush communities I’ve come to know well in over 50 years as a guide and pilot.
To my fellow Republicans and all Alaskans who agree we need to end our state’s decline, ensure that Alaska is a place where families can stay and thrive for generations, and elect a governor who works to bring Alaskans together, I urge you to join me in supporting JKT and Zac. Let’s get Alaska back on track.”
“Rick Halford has devoted his 60 years here to bettering Alaska, whether by growing economic opportunity, protecting our fisheries, or stewarding the Permanent Fund. His endorsement means so much to me,” said Kreiss-Tomkins. “Our campaign is about carrying forward Rick’s common-sense problem solving, his deep respect for Alaskan ways of life, his fiscal responsibility, and his insight that leadership requires both the capacity to listen and the courage to speak plainly to Alaskans. We’re excited to continue meeting with Republicans and independents who know Alaska needs better than a third term of Mike Dunleavy’s politics.”
Fmr. Sen. Halford’s endorsement adds to a growing cross-partisan coalition, including the Alaska AFL-CIO, NEA-Alaska, IUPAT Local 1959, Alaska State Employees Association/AFSCME Local 52 PAC, Alaska Public Employees Association/American Federation of Teachers, SEIU 775, and Alaska Professional Fire Fighters Association; 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; and over 60 elected Democrats, Republicans, and independents from Cordova 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 support Alaska schools, protect our fisheries, invest in infrastructure, fight corruption and protect the Permanent Fund. 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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