Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins

Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski has endorsed Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins in Alaska's gubernatorial race ahead of the November 3 midterm election, breaking with her party in a contest that also includes three Republican candidates. The winner succeeds term-limited Gov. Mike Dunleavy. Murkowski cited the need for bipartisan problem-solving on fiscal policy, energy costs, and economic growth, saying partisanship shouldn't hamstring the state's future. She said she will not change party affiliation. Kreiss-Tomkins welcomed the backing, pledging cooperation with the legislature and industry. The endorsement comes as attention also turns to Sen. Dan Sullivan's Trump-backed reelection bid under Alaska's top-four primary and ranked-choice system.

Alaska voters will decide this November whether to repeal the state's four-year-old election system, which combines an open top-four primary with ranked-choice voting in the general election. Supporters, including Senate President Gary Stevens and House Speaker Bryce Edgmon, say the system has fostered bipartisan governance and protected moderates from partisan primary pressure in a state where more than 60 percent of voters are unaffiliated. Critics argue the system is confusing and invites gamesmanship, pointing to two Republican candidates both named Dan Sullivan running for U.S. Senate, and to Democrats consolidating behind gubernatorial candidate Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins after a rival dropped out.

The repeal campaign has drawn heavy out-of-state funding, including large donations from Elon Musk and Jeff Yass to a PAC backing the measure. This marks the third time since 2020 that Alaskans have voted on their primary system. The outcome could shape competitiveness in key races, including the three-way Republican gubernatorial field and the Senate contest involving Democrat Mary Peltola, while determining whether Alaska keeps its distinctive alternative to traditional partisan primaries.

Tom Begich, who finished second among Democrats in Alaska's gubernatorial primary with 20.8% of the vote, has dropped out of the race and endorsed fellow Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins, the top vote-getter overall at 22.5%. The withdrawal leaves Kreiss-Tomkins as the sole Democrat on the November ranked-choice ballot to succeed term-limited Governor Mike Dunleavy.

On the Republican side, consolidation has been harder to achieve. Candidate Dave Bronson, who reportedly signed a pledge to withdraw if he didn't win a primary majority, has said he will stay in the race despite finishing behind businesswoman Bernadette Wilson. That raises the possibility of three Republicans splitting the conservative vote against a single, consolidated Democratic candidate under Alaska's top-four ranked-choice system. Candidates have until August 31 to withdraw before the ballot is finalized. A separate ballot measure to repeal ranked-choice voting is also before Alaska voters this November.

Alaska voters headed to the polls Tuesday in primaries shaping contests for U.S. Senate, U.S. House, governor and the legislature, alongside a Florida primary seen as an early indicator for control of Congress. The marquee Alaska race pits Republican incumbent Sen. Dan Sullivan against Democratic former Rep. Mary Peltola, one of 16 candidates in the all-party primary; the top four finishers advance to a November general election decided by ranked choice voting. A same-named challenger, Daniel J. Sullivan Jr., also qualified for the ballot after Republicans failed in court to remove him, and the Justice Department is reportedly investigating whether he entered the race to confuse voters and split support from the incumbent.

Rep. Nick Begich is seeking a second term against independent challenger Bill Hill, while 17 candidates compete to succeed term-limited Gov. Mike Dunleavy. Voters are also deciding a ballot measure on campaign contribution limits. Some polls show Peltola leading in a state that typically favors Republicans, and Democrats view Alaska as a key opportunity as they seek to flip four seats to win Senate control.