We voted for Bishop in the primary; we’re now supporting JKT

The hall of governors in the Alaska State Capitol on Jan. 21, 2026. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Independent)

By John and Anna MacKinnon

In August, we enthusiastically cast our ballots in the primary for Click Bishop. He was the one candidate we felt would put Alaska first and work with the Legislature to change the course of the state. 

After the dust of the primary settled, and wondering where to go next, we looked at the campaign websites of all candidates and reached out to three of them. One candidate even charged a campaign contribution to submit questions and still didn’t respond. Only one candidate bothered to respond, and even personally met with us.

It seems that in most elections, the choice we have in the voting booth is between the least-worst option. This year is different. We have a good option in front of us, and there's no question in our hearts and minds that Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins has the vision, the energy and ability to listen to all Alaskans, work across party lines in the legislature and work tirelessly to build Alaska back to the great state it once was.

Einstein is alleged to have said that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. The three republicans on the ticket this November are promising four more years of the same. Alaska can't afford a repeat of the last eight. 

We're enthusiastically voting for Jonathan Kreiss-Tompkins, JKT. Coming from a couple who, in the last 50 years, can count on one hand the number of times we have voted for a democrat, that speaks volumes.

• John MacKinnon is a former Department of Transportation and Public Facilities commissioner under Gov. Mike Dunleavy. Anna MacKinnon is a former Republican state legislator representing Eagle River.