Kreiss-Tomkins launches first statewide TV ad as campaign-commissioned poll shows him near the top

Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins launched his first statewide television advertisement, now running on broadcast and cable, in a bid to secure one of four general-election spots in Alaska's 17-candidate governor's race with the August 18 primary six weeks out.

Under Alaska's nonpartisan blanket primary and ranked-choice general election system, only the top four finishers advance to the November 3 general election, a structure that encourages crowded fields and rewards candidates who can build broad coalitions. The ad focuses on public schools, healthcare access, and lowering everyday costs, issues that touch education stakeholders, fishing communities, and unionized workers across the state. The campaign described the TV reservation as a major investment in boosting its message of change.

The buy follows a campaign-commissioned Public Policy Polling survey released last week, which placed Kreiss-Tomkins at 13 percent, tied for second with Dave Bronson and within three points of first-place Tom Begich at 16 percent, with 27 percent undecided. Early gubernatorial polling should be read cautiously: voter attention is still low and late decisions may hinge on cost of living and the economy. Kreiss-Tomkins entered the race as the third Democrat in the crowded field, focusing on education, affordability, and infrastructure. The campaign has assembled a broad coalition of endorsers including the Kodiak Seiners Association, Alaska Professional Fire Fighters Association, Alaska Public Employees Association/American Federation of Teachers, SEIU 775, and former Gov. Tony Knowles, as well as elected leaders from Cordova to Kotzebue and Anchorage to Fairbanks.

"Our campaign is moving up in the polls because Alaskans know our state needs new energy and new ideas," Kreiss-Tomkins said. "We're excited to share a message of change with more Alaskans over the airwaves, and put the failed Dunleavy era decisively in Alaska's rearview mirror." The characterization of the Dunleavy era as "failed" reflects the campaign's framing.

The top four vote-getters in the August 18 primary advance to the November 3 ranked-choice general election. Alaska conducted its first ranked-choice gubernatorial race in 2022, when incumbent Gov. Mike Dunleavy won outright in the first round by clearing 50 percent.