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Alaska elects its first Democrat governor in nearly 30 years in major blow to Trump

Alaska elects its first Democrat governor in nearly 30 years in major blow to Trump

The former state lawmaker defeated three Republicans, including one endorsed by President Donald Trump

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Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins will be Alaska's next governor after defeating three Republicans, ending more than two decades without a Democrat in the office.

The former state lawmaker, who is 37 and often referred to as JKT, beat Bernadette Wilson, Dave Bronson and Treg Taylor.

His win means Democrats will hold the governor's office in 30 states, among them several they flipped after years of Republican control in places such as Iowa, Georgia, Ohio and Texas.

The result was part of a national midterm elections wave that gave the party sweeping wins in state governments across the country.

Kreiss-Tomkins completed a political comeback three years after leaving the state House.

He traveled throughout Alaska to build his coalition and focused on affordability and advocated for full funding of public schools and called for all oil and gas producers to pay corporate income tax.

Kreiss-Tomkins also sought a moratorium on new data centers until state lawmakers pass regulations for their development. He said Alaska had become "broken" under eight years of outgoing Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy and needed a change.

Among the issues he cited was a state ferry system that he said has been left in shambles, with routes to many communities cut drastically.

In brief

Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins will be Alaska's next governor after defeating three Republicans, ending more than two decades without a Democrat in the office. Kreiss-Tomkins completed a political comeback three years after leaving the state House. He said Alaska had become "broken" under eight years of outgoing Republican Gov.

This is the opening of the story, shared with credit to The Independent — World. The rest of the report — with every detail — continues on the publisher’s website.

Continue reading at The Independent — World ↗

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