Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins’ victory means Democrats will now hold 30 US governorships after midterm blowout
Democrats have captured Alaska’s governor’s seat for the first time in nearly three decades, marking another major victory for their party in a midterm election period that has dramatically shifted political power across the US.
Former Alaska state legislator Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins defeated three Republican opponents, including a candidate backed by Donald Trump, becoming the first Democrat elected governor of Alaska since 1998.
His victory – called by the Associated Press on Friday, 10 days after the polls closed – adds to a growing list of Democratic gains nationwide, bringing the party’s total to 30 US governorships. Democrats have also taken control of governor’s offices in several other longtime Republican strongholds, including Iowa, Georgia, Ohio and Texas.
Kreiss-Tomkins, widely known as JKT, secured the win having mounted a political comeback three years after departing the Alaska house of representatives.
The 37-year-old traveled extensively throughout the state during his campaign, building support around economic concerns and a promise to change the direction of Alaska’s government.
His platform centered on tackling affordability, ensuring full funding for public education, and requiring all oil and gas producers to pay corporate income taxes. He also pushed for a temporary halt to new datacenter developments until state lawmakers establish regulations governing their construction.
