Democrat Tom Begich suspended his Alaska gubernatorial campaign Friday evening, endorsing fellow Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins and consolidating the party’s resources ahead of the November general election. Begich, a former state senator, cited funding concerns as the driving factor, saying that continuing through Election Day would require “millions more than we have.”
In the August 18 primary, Kreiss-Tomkins, a 37-year-old former state representative from Sitka, finished first with 22.5 percent of votes (36,961 votes), while Begich received 20.8 percent (34,149 votes). Both Democrats advanced to the general election under Alaska’s top-four primary system, which allows the four highest vote-getters across all parties to compete in November regardless of party affiliation.
Begich said that internal campaign data and conversations with Kreiss-Tomkins made clear that a single unified Democratic ticket offered the best path forward. “The strongest path to winning in November is not two Democratic candidates competing for the same donors and resources; it’s bringing those people together behind one ticket,” Begich said in a statement. His running mate, Julia Hnilicka, a candidate for lieutenant governor, also suspended her campaign and endorsed Kreiss-Tomkins, saying he “shares our commitment” to school funding, energy affordability, and housing access.
Kreiss-Tomkins, who served in the Alaska House of Representatives representing Sitka and Southeast Alaska communities, has campaigned as a progressive Democrat focused on expanding Medicaid coverage, reducing energy costs, funding public education, and expanding affordable housing. According to his campaign website, he also supports a moratorium on new data centers in Alaska until the state legislature passes comprehensive regulation for these projects.
The consolidation leaves Kreiss-Tomkins as the sole Democrat on the November ballot. He will face Republican Bernadette Wilson, a businesswoman who finished third in the primary with 10 percent of the vote, and two other Republican candidates who advanced through the top-four system. The Cook Political Report, a nonpartisan election forecaster, rates the Alaska gubernatorial race as “likely Republican,” reflecting the state’s recent voting patterns. Alaska voted for Trump in the last three presidential elections.
Former Alaska Gov. Tony Knowles, a Democrat, has backed Kreiss-Tomkins. The general election is scheduled for November 3, 2026. Begich’s withdrawal came ahead of Alaska’s August 31 deadline for candidates to remove themselves from the general election ballot.
Sources
- The Hill — Begich’s announcement, funding concerns quote, primary results, Kreiss-Tomkins’ platform and endorsements
- NBC News — Primary vote totals and percentages (Kreiss-Tomkins 22.5%, Begich 20.8%)
- Alaska Beacon — Kreiss-Tomkins’ age (37), background as former state representative, and primary results
- New York Times — Kreiss-Tomkins’ age and political positioning as pragmatic Democrat
- Washington Examiner — Begich’s quote on “strongest path” and funding concerns
