Tom Begich suspends campaign, says he will endorse Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins for governor

Mark Sabbatini
23 hours ago
2 min read

Top Democrat in Aug. 18 primary gets support of second-place candidate; some Republicans also asking their candidates to rally around a single choice

By Mark Sabbatini

Juneau Independent

This is a developing story.

Former state Senate Majority Leader Tom Begich, who finished second in the primary election for governor, said Friday night he is suspending his campaign and endorsing fellow Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins, who got the most votes in an unofficial tally released earlier during the evening.

“What matters most is making sure Alaska gets a governor who will move us forward,” Begich said in a prepared statement. “We believe the best way to do that now is to bring together the people, energy and momentum we have created and put our strength behind one candidate.”

Kreiss-Tomkins got 22.52% of the primary vote, followed by Begich at 20.8%, according to unofficial results scheduled to be certified by Monday, which is also the last day for candidates to drop out of the race. The candidates said during the days leading up to the vote count there were discussions of an agreement where one dropped out and supported the other in order to show unity for the Nov. 3 general election.

Begich, in his statement, said he spoke to Kreiss-Tomkins, a Sitka resident and former legislator, about campaign priorities before announcing his withdrawal. The former senator also praised the Sitka resident’s strong fundraising during the campaign as a reason for endorsing his candidacy.

Kreiss-Tomkins, in a prepared statement Friday night, said "Our campaign is grateful for Tom and Julia’s support and their unceasing focus on a better future for our state."

"Tom Begich has led the way on strengthening our schools, growing local economies, and building a self-reliant Alaska," Kreiss-Tomkins said. "When our time in the legislature overlapped, I got to know him as one of Alaska’s great coalition builders and a uniter — not a divider. With this historic and selfless decision, he’s continued that leadership and added a transformational chapter to his lifelong legacy of service to Alaska."

Begich’s withdrawal creates uncertainties about which four candidates will advance from the primary to the general election.

The next-ranked candidates are Republicans — businesswoman Bernadette Wilson with 10.02% of the vote, former Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson with 8.13% and former state Attorney General Treg Taylor with 7.26%. Some Republican officials are urging those candidates and other GOP contenders to withdraw and support a single candidate — presumably Wilson — but Bronson has stated he intends to remain in the race.

Adding to the complication is the Alaska Public Offices Commission on Thursday recommended Taylor not be certified as a candidate because he failed to complete a required financial disclosure form. If he does not make the general election ballot, the next-ranked candidate is former state Sen. Click Bishop. He is a moderate Republican who could draw away some voters who otherwise would support a Democrat over a conservative Republican.

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