Three former governors and Sen. Murkowski endorse JKT over three Republicans on ballot

Republican Frank Murkowski joins daughter in support of Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins; former governors Bill Walker and Tony Knowles also back Sitka Democrat

Laura McDonnell, left, moderates a gubernatorial candidate forum between, from left to right, Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins, Bernadette Wilson and Dave Bronson at the Baranof Hotel on Oct. 7, 2026. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Independent)

By Mark Sabbatini

Juneau Independent

Three former Alaska governors — Democrat Tony Knowles, Republican Frank Murkowski and independent Bill Walker — are endorsing Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins in his race against three Republicans in the Nov. 3 general election.

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, also announced Tuesday she is endorsing Kreiss-Tomkins.

The Republican candidates in the ranked choice race for governor are business owner Bernadette Wilson, former Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson and former Alaska Attorney General Treg Taylor.

"I thought they're not talking about any of the fiscal issues at all," Walker, a former Republican who was elected governor as an independent 2014, told the Juneau Independent on Tuesday. "JKT talks about being the math candidate, and I believe in math and we’ve got a math problem. I don’t know any (of the Republican candidates) really well, but I don't hear them talking about anything that's going to be any of the solutions that we need in our fiscal situation."

Walker said he worked with Kreiss-Tomkins, a state legislator from Sitka from 2013 to 2022, "and he absolutely stood out as not just a hard worker, a smart worker, but more just aggressively trying to make things happen, bipartisan efforts and whatnot…he was a get-the-job-done kind of guy and that's what we need now."

A letter by the three former governors published by the Juneau Independent on Tuesday notes "We come from different political backgrounds, have different perspectives, and have not always agreed on issues facing our state." However, the trio expressed support for Kreiss-Tomkins’ commitments to increase and stablize public education funding, take a politically balanced approach to fisheries and infrastructure issues, and support further constitutional protections of the Alaska Permanent Fund.

Sen. Murkowski, daughter of the former governor and senator, said in a prepared statement distributed by the Kreiss-Tomkins campaign “Our future is too important to be hamstrung by partisan divisions."

“Jonathan understands that governing requires listening to people with different perspectives and finding common ground to solve the problems all of us face," her statement adds. "Alaska needs a serious conversation about our fiscal future, as well as a focus on the cost of energy and growing our economy. I believe Jonathan is committed to working toward solutions that serve all Alaskans, regardless of party."

Wilson, who in polls and at election rating websites is considered the main challenger to Kreiss-Tomkins, issued a prepared statement through her campaign dismissing the former governors’ endorsement.

"It doesn’t matter who has endorsed ‘Just Keep Taxing’ JKT — Alaskans are well aware that he wants an income tax, that he voted to double the gas tax and that he does not believe the full PFD belongs to the people," her statement notes. "Regardless of endorsements, I am confident that Alaska will not let JKT turn us into California and New York City."

Taylor, in a response issued by his campaign, declared "I am not surprised by the support former Governors Bill Walker and Tony Knowles have given Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins. Under their leadership, Alaskans experienced either increased taxes or reduced PFD's. Their endorsements for a candidate proposing new taxes are consistent with that history."

"What is particularly disappointing is Senator Lisa Murkowski's decision to cross party lines and endorse a Democrat for governor. Alaskans deserve leadership that protects their PFDs, respects their hard-earned money, and prioritizes fiscal responsibility over additional taxation. As your Governor, I will do just that!"

Bronson’s campaign did not respond to requests for comment from the Juneau Independent on Tuesday afternoon.

Knowles served as governor from 1994 to 2002, Frank Murkowski from 2002 to 2006, and Walker from 2014 to 2018. Two other governors during that time span — Sarah Palin and Sean Parnell, both Republicans — have not publicly endorsed candidates in this year’s gubernatorial race.

Current Gov. Mike Dunleavy, a Republican who cannot run again this year since he has served two consecutive terms, also has not endorsed a candidate.

• Contact Mark Sabbatini at editor@juneauindependent.com or (907) 957-2306.