Murkowski Backs Democrat Over Trump-backed Rival in Alaska Race

WHO:

Fox News - Alaska Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski endorsed Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins.

NBC News - Murkowski endorsed Kreiss-Tomkins over Republican Bernadette Wilson, who is backed by Trump.

The Washington Post - Murkowski said, “Our future is too important to be hamstrung by partisan divisions.”

WHAT:

Fox News - Murkowski endorsed Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins for governor, despite President Trump’s endorsement of a Republican candidate.

NBC News - Murkowski endorsed Kreiss-Tomkins rather than Trump-backed Republican candidate Bernadette Wilson in Alaska’s governor’s race.

The Washington Post - Murkowski said Alaska needs “a serious conversation about our fiscal future, as well as a focus on the cost of energy and growing our economy.”

WHERE:

Fox News - The gubernatorial race is in Alaska.

NBC News - The governor’s race is in Alaska.

WHY:

The Washington Post - Murkowski said partisan divisions should not hamper Alaska’s future and called for attention to the state’s fiscal future, energy costs, and economic growth.

HOW:

The Washington Post - Murkowski communicated her rationale in a statement.

(UPDATED October 28, 2026 22:04 UTC)

Alaska Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski endorsed Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins, choosing him over Trump-backed Republican Bernadette Wilson. Murkowski said partisan divisions should not hamper Alaska’s future. She called for a serious discussion of the state’s finances, energy costs and economic growth.