Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins took an early lead in the Alaska governor race as ballot counting began Tuesday evening, putting the 37-year-old Democrat ahead with just over 65,000 ballots counted. He had 55.3% of first-choice votes at 8:40 p.m. with 45 of 400 precincts reporting.
65,000 ballots in Alaska
Bernadette Wilson was at 27.5%, while Dave Bronson had 10.8% and Treg Taylor 6.2%. The count could still move as more ballots come in, and the final result will not be set by the first report alone.
Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins campaign
Kreiss-Tomkins launched his campaign in February and emerged as the top primary election vote-getter in the August primary, when the field grew to 17 candidates, including 12 Republicans, two Democrats and three independents. He also won support from Lisa Murkowski and Frank Murkowski in the days leading up to the election, and his campaign pitch included the line, "I would appoint Republicans to my cabinet."
Ranked choice and Nov. 25
If no candidate gets more than 50% of first-choice votes, ranked choice tabulation will decide the winner. That leaves a path for Wilson if enough Dave Bronson and Treg Taylor voters rank her next, even with Kreiss-Tomkins leading early.
Election officials will keep counting ballots until Nov. 18 and target certification for Nov. 25. Mike Dunleavy has led Alaska for eight years and is termed out from seeking reelection, leaving the governor’s race open as the count continues.
