Alaska’s senior U.S. senator joins growing coalition of Republican, independent, and nonpartisan leaders supporting JKT
October 27, 2026
Today, Alaska governor candidate Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins (JKT) and lieutenant governor running mate Zac Johnson announced the endorsement of U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R).
Born in Ketchikan and a lifelong Alaskan, Senator Murkowski has represented Alaska in the U.S. Senate since 2002, after serving in the Alaska House of Representatives. She is the first woman to represent Alaska in the Senate.
With early voting underway, Senator Murkowski’s endorsement reflects the surge of support across the political spectrum for JKT and Johnson’s cross-partisan campaign to get Alaska back on track.
“Our future is too important to be hamstrung by partisan divisions,” said Senator Murkowski. “Jonathan understands that governing requires listening to people with different perspectives and finding common ground to solve the problems all of us face. Alaska needs a serious conversation about our fiscal future, as well as a focus on the cost of energy and growing our economy. I believe Jonathan is committed to working toward solutions that serve all Alaskans, regardless of party.
I encourage Alaskans of every political stripe, whether Republicans, independents, or Democrats, to take a close look at Jonathan and Zac. Alaska needs leaders who will put our state first, and I’m proud to support them.”
JKT shares Senator Murkowski’s commitment to putting Alaska ahead of party. During a decade representing Southeast Alaska in the legislature, JKT served in the Bipartisan Coalition, working across the aisle to support Alaska schools, protect fisheries, and lower costs. JKT looks forward to working with the legislature, resource industries, business community, labor organizations, local governments, and other stakeholders on supporting job growth and strengthening Alaska’s economy.
“I’m honored to have Senator Murkowski’s support,” said Kreiss-Tomkins. “Alaskans deserve a government that can work through disagreements and make progress on the issues that matter. I am committed to working with our congressional delegation, the legislature, industry, and communities across the state to move Alaska forward. That work requires cooperation, not political conflict.”
Murkowski joins a growing group of current and former Republican elected officials, independent leaders, business owners, and community members who have expressed support for JKT and lieutenant governor running mate Zac Johnson.
JKT’s growing cross-partisan coalition also includes the Alaska AFL-CIO, International Union of Operating Engineers Local 302, Western States Carpenters Union, Laborers’ International Union of North America Locals 341, 942, and 71, Public Safety Employees Association Local 803, Anchorage Police Department Employees Association PAC, Alaska Professional Fire Fighters Association, Teamsters Local 959, UA Local 367, IBEW Local 1547, IUPAT Local 1959, Inlandboatmen’s Union of the Pacific, NEA-Alaska, UAW Region 6 and Local 1907 (Alaska Graduate Workers Association), 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 fishermen’s organizations Kodiak Seiners Association, Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association, and Cordova District Fishermen United; former Gov. Tony Knowles; former Gov. Frank Murkowski; former Gov. Bill Walker; former Senate President Rick Halford (R); former State Senator Lesil McGuire (R); former State Senator Gary Wilken (R); former State Representative Jesse Sumner, 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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