GOP Sen. Lisa Murkowski Endorses Democrat Kreiss-Tomkins for Alaska Governor/ NEWSLOOKS/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski endorsed Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins for Alaska governor while leaving her own 2028 reelection plans unresolved. Alaska political observers described the endorsement as consistent with her independent approach rather than a clear signal of retirement or campaign strategy. Her decision comes amid disputes over Alaska’s Senate election, ranked-choice voting and Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s administration.
Quick Look
- Cross-party endorsement: Murkowski backed Kreiss-Tomkins, saying he would serve Alaskans regardless of party.
- Governor’s contest: Three Republicans and one Democrat are competing in the ranked-choice general election.
- Trump’s choice: The president supports Republican Bernadette Wilson.
- 2028 uncertainty: Murkowski has not decided whether to seek another Senate term.
- Family support: Former governor and senator Frank Murkowski also endorsed Kreiss-Tomkins.
- Senate race: Lisa Murkowski supports Republican Dan Sullivan while demanding answers from Democrat Mary Peltola over a candidate recruitment controversy.
- Voting referendum: Alaskans will decide whether to repeal the state’s ranked-choice election system.
- Possible challenger: Dunleavy has drawn speculation about a 2028 Senate bid but has not announced one.
Deep Look
Murkowski Crosses Party Lines in Governor’s Race
Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski endorsed Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins for Alaska governor, adding another cross-party decision to a political career defined by independence.
Murkowski said Kreiss-Tomkins would “serve all Alaskans, regardless of party.”
The endorsement puts her at odds with Republicans competing in next week’s four-candidate ranked-choice election. Three candidates are Republicans, while Kreiss-Tomkins is the lone Democrat.
President Donald Trump has endorsed Republican Bernadette Wilson to succeed outgoing Gov. Mike Dunleavy.
Murkowski’s move also comes as she considers whether to seek reelection in 2028, prompting questions about whether she is preparing for another campaign or contemplating retirement.
Alaska Observers Caution Against Reading a 2028 Signal
Political operatives and longtime Alaska observers said the endorsement does not necessarily reveal Murkowski’s plans.
“It’s certainly no surprise. Lisa is Lisa. She doesn’t make decisions based on party,” said Republican operative Art Hackney, who is running a super PAC supporting Sen. Dan Sullivan. “She’s looked at the four candidates and decided JKT is the best choice.”
Larry Persily, a longtime Alaska political aide and journalist, likewise said he did not consider the endorsement a “signal for 2028.”
Instead, he called it “the indication of her frustration with the current [Dunleavy] administration.”
She “doesn’t want to see anything close to a repeat. I think it’s a realization that her voice matters in Alaska,” Persily added.
Murkowski has not announced a reelection decision and has said little publicly about her deliberations. Her spokespeople did not respond Wednesday to questions about the endorsement or her plans.
Endorsement Continues a History of Independent Choices
Murkowski has previously supported Democrats, including Mary Peltola during her campaigns for Alaska’s at-large House seat.
This year, however, Murkowski is Backing Sullivan against Peltola in the state’s competitive Senate race.
Her father, former Republican governor and U.S. senator Frank Murkowski, has also endorsed Kreiss-Tomkins.
While Lisa Murkowski generally votes with Republicans, she has opposed the administration on significant domestic and foreign policy issues. She also voted against some Trump nominees, including Todd Blanche’s nomination for attorney general earlier this year.
Murkowski Challenges Both Sides in Senate Ballot Dispute
Murkowski’s response to Alaska’s Senate controversy has illustrated her willingness to criticize both parties.
After the Justice Department sued to block certification of the race over the presence of two candidates named Sullivan, she rejected the intervention.
“Alaskans don’t need any help voting for their preferred candidates,” she said.
But after The New York Times reported evidence that Peltola’s campaign and national Democratic operatives knew about efforts to recruit the second Sullivan, Murkowski demanded an explanation.
She said Peltola and her campaign owed voters the “honest truth” about “a pattern of lies and coverups and a culture of deception that belongs nowhere in our elections or among our elected officials.”
Trump Renews Attacks as Voting System Faces Repeal Effort
Trump called Murkowski the “worst senator” in a Truth Social post over the weekend after she criticized the Justice Department lawsuit.
The two also disagree over Alaska’s election system, which combines an open primary with ranked-choice voting in the general election.
Trump has described the system as “corrupt,” pointing to the presence of three Republicans and one Democrat in the governor’s race.
Alaska is one of two states using ranked-choice voting statewide. A referendum on this year’s ballot asks voters whether to repeal it.
Some observers credit the system with helping Murkowski defeat a Trump-backed challenger in 2022.
Murkowski’s Electoral Record Complicates Retirement Speculation
Some Senate Republicans have privately questioned whether Murkowski will run again and whether Trump would support another challenger if she does.
She has already survived two particularly difficult elections.
In 2010, Murkowski lost the Republican primary but retained her Senate seat through a successful write-in campaign. In 2022, she defeated a challenger endorsed by Trump.
Her ability to attract support beyond the Republican base could again matter if she seeks another term, although the governor’s endorsement alone does not establish her intentions.
Dunleavy’s Future Remains Unsettled
Dunleavy has faced months of speculation about a possible Senate challenge in 2028.
His political prospects are complicated by low approval ratings and strained relationships with other Alaska Republicans.
Murkowski said this week that she has “found fault with the Dunleavy administration” and said it had “federal money on the table.”
After Fox News reported last year that Dunleavy would challenge her, a spokesperson said the governor was “focused on moving Alaska forward during the remainder of his second term.”
His spokespeople did not respond Wednesday to questions about Murkowski’s latest criticism.
National Republican operatives, speaking anonymously, suggested Dunleavy might be more interested in a Cabinet position than a Senate campaign if he remains in politics.
Trump has continued to praise him, describing Dunleavy at a Sept. 30 White House event as a “great governor and a friend of mine.”
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