In a joint commentary published by the Anchorage Daily News, three former Alaska governors from different political parties have announced their endorsement of Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins in the state’s gubernatorial race.
A Bipartisan Coalition Across 16 Years in Office
Tony Knowles, a Democrat who served from 1994 to 2002, Frank Murkowski, a Republican who served from 2002 to 2006, and Bill Walker, an independent who served from 2014 to 2018, wrote that they are putting aside partisan differences to back Kreiss-Tomkins. Together, the three men governed Alaska for a total of 16 years.
“Among the three of us, we have had the privilege of serving Alaska as governor for a total of 16 years,” the former governors wrote in the Anchorage Daily News. “We come from different political backgrounds, have different perspectives and have not always agreed on issues facing our state. But we share a deep commitment to Alaska and its future. That is why we are coming together to support Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins for governor.”
Kreiss-Tomkins Builds Bipartisan Record Amid State Challenges
The endorsement highlights the weight of governing the state, pointing to ongoing fiscal and structural challenges. Families across Alaska are dealing with rising costs for food, fuel, and energy, while schools face teacher and student retention issues and infrastructure continues to age.
The former governors argued that Kreiss-Tomkins has a proven legislative record of working across party lines. During his tenure in the Alaska Legislature, he earned a reputation for listening to diverse perspectives and approaching complex issues independently.
Core Priorities for a Potential Administration
If elected, Kreiss-Tomkins has committed to several core priorities outlined in the commentary:
- Reversing the decline of public education by fully funding it and passing a constitutional amendment to “forward fund” schools, eliminating annual budget uncertainty.
- Protecting fisheries by reining in bottom trawl bycatch, balancing the Board of Fish, and nominating North Pacific Council members who support Alaska-based fishermen and coastal communities.
- Fixing critical infrastructure, including roads, airports, bridges, power plants, ports, and rebuilding the Alaska Marine Highway System under an independent governing board.
- Reducing healthcare costs by protecting Medicaid expansion and funding first responders.
- Balancing the budget by constitutionally protecting the entirety of the Permanent Fund from overspending.
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The Anchorage Daily News welcomes a broad range of viewpoints. Commentary submissions can be sent to commentary@adn.com, and shorter pieces or letters can be submitted to letters@adn.com.
