Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins led the 2026 Alaska gubernatorial election on Tuesday evening as just over 206,000 ballots were counted. He had 48.9% of first-choice votes with 314 of 402 precincts reporting, while ranked choice tabulation still could decide the race.
The 37-year-old Democrat from Sitka said he believed he would win a majority of first-place votes. He told reporters Tuesday night, "I think we’re on track to exceed our reach goal" and "Instead of conflict and dysfunction, we want compromise and collaboration."
Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins and Alaska
Kreiss-Tomkins spent a decade representing Southeast Alaska in the Legislature before launching his gubernatorial campaign in February. Ahead of the August primary, the field grew to 17 candidates, including 12 Republicans, two Democrats and three independents, and he emerged as the top primary election vote-getter.
His early lead came with Bernadette Wilson at 29.4%, Dave Bronson at 14.1% and Treg Taylor at 7.4%. If no candidate gets more than 50% of first-choice votes, the winner will be determined by ranked choice tabulation.
Nov. 18 and Nov. 25
Election officials will keep counting ballots until Nov. 18, and they have a target to certify results on Nov. 25. Kreiss-Tomkins also said, "It seems like the country wants change more broadly, and Americans have spoken with their votes, and it’s a pretty strong statement."
If he keeps the lead through the later count and ranked choice tabulation, he would become Alaska’s first Democratic governor since 2002. He has also said he would appoint Republicans to his cabinet and favor new taxes on oil and gas companies operating in the state.
