REPUBLICAN FORMER STATE SENATOR LESIL MCGUIRE ENDORSES KREISS-TOMKINS FOR GOVERNOR
Former 2026 gubernatorial candidate trusts JKT to champion young Alaskans, women, and an affordable economy
September 16, 2026
Today, Alaska governor candidate Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins (JKT) and lieutenant governor running mate Zac Johnson announced the endorsement of Republican Former Alaska State Senator, State Representative, and gubernatorial candidate Lesil McGuire.
In her 16 years in the legislature, Fmr. Sen. McGuire chaired the Senate Judiciary and Rules Committees, served on the Senate Finance and Resources Committees, and co-chaired the Alaska Arctic Policy Commission, earning national recognition for her leadership on Arctic policy, energy, and economic opportunity. She authored legislation creating the Renewable Energy Grant Fund and the Emerging Energy Technology Fund, bipartisan laws that have helped build more than one hundred energy projects across Alaska, cut rural communities’ reliance on costly diesel, and eased pressure on Cook Inlet's natural gas supply.
Former Sen. McGuire is the third former governor candidate in the 2026 cycle to endorse JKT. Her endorsement comes on the heels of Republican Former Sen. Rick Halford and signals growing enthusiasm across the political spectrum for JKT and Johnson’s cross-partisan campaign to get Alaska back on track.
“I am proud to endorse JKT for governor because I want to support a candidate that is open-minded, a curious intellectual, committed to the challenges facing women in our state and to helping shape a future that will attract and retain young people that will be the future of Alaska,” said Fmr. Sen. McGuire. “From addressing Alaska’s energy challenges and the rising cost of living, to creating opportunities for women and building a future where young people can afford to stay, work, and raise their families here, we need thoughtful leadership focused on the long term.”
JKT thanked McGuire for her endorsement and her years of public service.
“Lesil McGuire understands that Alaska needs real change — not more of the same politics we’ve seen the last eight years,” said Kreiss-Tomkins. “I’m proud to have her support as we build a coalition of Republicans, Democrats, and independents who are ready to come together, drive down costs, and solve problems for working families. Our campaign is about bringing Alaskans together to balance the budget, build Alaska’s economy, stand up to powerful outside interests, and make our state a place where working families can afford to build a future.”
Fmr. Sen. McGuire’s endorsement adds to a growing cross-partisan coalition, including 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; former Senate President Rick Halford; 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 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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