This is quite concerning.
A prominent Republican senator has broken with President Donald Trump just days before the 2026 midterm elections, endorsing a Democratic candidate for governor instead of the Republican backed by the president.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska announced Tuesday that she is supporting Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins in the state’s gubernatorial election, dealing a political setback to Trump’s preferred candidate, Republican Bernadette Wilson.
The endorsement comes less than a week before voters head to the polls on November 3, adding another chapter to the long-running disagreements between Murkowski and Trump.
Murkowski’s decision has attracted national attention because she is not simply declining to endorse the president’s candidate. She is publicly encouraging voters to consider putting a Democrat in the governor’s office currently held by Republican Mike Dunleavy.
The move also raises questions about Republican unity as the party prepares for a closely watched midterm election.
Republican Senator Rejects Trump’s Choice for Governor
Murkowski announced her endorsement of Kreiss-Tomkins on October 27, praising the former Alaska state lawmaker’s willingness to cooperate with people from different political backgrounds.
The Republican senator said Alaska needs leadership capable of confronting difficult economic challenges rather than becoming trapped in political disputes.
Her endorsement also included Kreiss-Tomkins’ running mate, Zac Johnson, who is not affiliated with a political party.
Murkowski pointed to several issues she considers important for Alaska’s future, including rising energy costs, economic development, and the state’s long-term financial stability.
She argued that Kreiss-Tomkins has demonstrated an ability to work with people who hold different political views.
However, her decision immediately created a political contrast with Trump, who had already endorsed a Republican candidate in the same election.
For voters following the president’s efforts to strengthen Republican leadership around the country, the endorsement represents another significant disagreement between Trump and one of his party’s most independent senators.
Trump Endorsed Republican Bernadette Wilson
President Trump announced his support for Bernadette Wilson on October 13, making her his preferred candidate in Alaska’s race for governor.
Wilson, a business executive, is one of three Republicans competing against Kreiss-Tomkins.
The other Republican candidates are former Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson and former Alaska Attorney General Treg Taylor.
All four candidates are seeking to replace outgoing Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy, who is prevented from running for another consecutive term.
With multiple Republicans competing for the same office, the election has become unusually competitive.
Murkowski’s endorsement could complicate the contest by giving the Democratic candidate additional support from voters who traditionally favor Republicans.
Wilson responded critically to the senator’s announcement, accusing Murkowski of abandoning Alaska’s values and questioning the political direction Kreiss-Tomkins would take as governor.
The dispute illustrates competing views of how the state should be governed.
Trump has placed his support behind Wilson, while Murkowski believes Kreiss-Tomkins would be better positioned to address the state’s challenges.
Murkowski Has a History of Breaking With Trump
Murkowski’s latest endorsement is not an isolated political disagreement.
The Alaska senator has frequently challenged Trump and taken positions that separate her from other Republicans in Washington.
One of the most significant examples came in February 2021, when Murkowski voted to convict Trump during his second impeachment trial.
She was one of seven Republican senators who supported conviction following the January 6 Capitol riot.
Trump was ultimately acquitted by the Senate.
Murkowski also opposed advancing Brett Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court nomination in 2018 and did not cast a vote in favor of his final confirmation.
Those decisions contributed to her reputation as a Republican willing to defy party leadership.
The political tensions continued in subsequent election cycles.
In 2024, Murkowski endorsed Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola in her unsuccessful reelection campaign against Republican Nick Begich.
However, Murkowski has also supported Republicans in major races, including Sen. Dan Sullivan in his 2026 reelection bid.
Her record reflects an approach that emphasizes individual candidates rather than consistently following national Republican leadership.
That approach has earned her support from some independent voters while drawing criticism from Republicans who expect elected party members to support fellow GOP candidates.
Trump’s Political Feud With Murkowski Continues
The endorsement comes amid an ongoing disagreement between Trump and Murkowski over several political issues.
Trump has repeatedly criticized the Alaska senator, questioning her leadership and her loyalty to Republican priorities.
Murkowski, meanwhile, has maintained that her responsibility is to represent Alaska’s interests, even when her decisions conflict with the president’s position.
Their disagreements have extended beyond the governor’s race.
Trump recently criticized Murkowski over her opposition to a Justice Department lawsuit involving certification of Alaska’s U.S. Senate election.
The latest gubernatorial endorsement further highlights how far apart the two Republicans remain on certain political questions.
It also demonstrates that disputes within the Republican Party have not disappeared despite Trump’s influential position in national politics.
Why Murkowski’s Endorsement Could Matter
The Alaska governor’s election is particularly important because the state uses ranked-choice voting.
Under that system, voters can rank candidates in their preferred order rather than choosing only one.
If no candidate wins an outright majority of first-choice votes, the lowest-performing candidate is eliminated.
Votes for that candidate are then transferred to the next eligible preference marked on each ballot.
The process continues until a candidate receives a majority of the remaining votes.
With three Republicans and one Democrat in the contest, the second-choice preferences of Republican voters could play a significant role in determining the final winner.
That makes Murkowski’s endorsement potentially influential.
Even voters who prefer a Republican as their first choice could rank Kreiss-Tomkins second.
However, an endorsement does not guarantee that voters will follow a politician’s recommendation.
The actual effect of Murkowski’s announcement will not be known until the election results are counted.
Polling Shows Democrats Have an Opportunity in Alaska
Recent polling has suggested that Kreiss-Tomkins entered the final weeks of the election with an advantage.
A New York Times/Siena University poll conducted from September 24 through October 1 found the Democrat leading the four-candidate field.
The survey reported the following first-choice support among likely voters:
- Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins (Democrat): 46%
- Bernadette Wilson (Republican): 24%
- Dave Bronson (Republican): 17%
- Treg Taylor (Republican): 13%
These figures reflect the survey’s findings at that time, not final election results.
Because Alaska uses ranked-choice voting, the first-choice percentages do not necessarily predict the eventual winner.
Nevertheless, the polling helps explain why the race has drawn attention from both political parties.
Republicans are hoping to retain control of the governor’s office, while Democrats see an opportunity to win a statewide executive position in a state that has frequently supported Republican presidential candidates.
Democrat Welcomes Murkowski’s Support
Kreiss-Tomkins welcomed the endorsement, emphasizing his commitment to working with lawmakers across party lines.
The former state representative served in Alaska’s legislature from 2013 to 2023.
During his legislative career, he participated in bipartisan governing efforts and represented a district that also supported Trump in presidential elections.
His campaign has emphasized cooperation, economic development, and addressing the state’s financial difficulties.
He has also indicated that he would include Republicans and independents in his administration if elected.
Murkowski is not the only Republican political figure to endorse the Democrat.
Her father, former Republican Gov. Frank Murkowski, has also backed Kreiss-Tomkins.
Former independent Gov. Bill Walker and former Democratic Gov. Tony Knowles joined Frank Murkowski in supporting his candidacy.
Those endorsements have helped Kreiss-Tomkins present himself as a candidate capable of attracting support beyond his own party.
His Republican opponents, however, have questioned whether his policy positions would serve Alaska’s interests.
What the Election Means for Alaska’s Future
Beyond the disagreement between Trump and Murkowski, the governor’s race will help determine how Alaska addresses several major challenges.
The state continues to face difficult questions involving energy affordability, government spending, economic development, and its long-term fiscal outlook.
Alaska also depends heavily on natural resource industries, making decisions involving oil, gas, and infrastructure particularly important.
The next governor will have a central role in working with lawmakers to address these issues.
The winner will also influence Alaska’s relationship with federal officials and decisions involving state programs and budgets.
For Republican voters, the contest presents a choice among three GOP candidates with differing political backgrounds.
For Democrats, it represents an opportunity to capture the governor’s office following Dunleavy’s tenure.
For independent voters, the race offers another example of how Alaska’s political landscape differs from the traditional two-party contests seen elsewhere in the country.
Another Republican Divide Ahead of the Midterms
Murkowski’s decision to endorse a Democrat over Trump’s preferred Republican candidate has placed Alaska’s governor’s race in the national spotlight.
The disagreement comes at a politically sensitive moment as Republicans and Democrats prepare for elections that will shape the direction of state governments and Congress.
The endorsement also raises a broader question about the Republican Party’s internal divisions.
Should Republican elected officials support their party’s candidates, or should they feel free to endorse members of the opposing party when they believe another candidate is better qualified?
Murkowski has made her choice clear.
Trump has made his choice clear as well.
Now the decision belongs to Alaska voters.
With Election Day approaching on November 3, the governor’s race will determine whether Republicans retain control of Alaska’s executive branch or a Democrat wins the office with support from prominent figures in both parties.
