Murkowski endorses Democrat JKT in Alaska governor’s race

Republican U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski made a surprise endorsement Tuesday in the Alaska governor’s race: Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins.

In a news release from Kreiss-Tomkins’ campaign emailed to reporters Tuesday afternoon, Murkowski commended the former Sitka state lawmaker’s commitment to bipartisanship. She encouraged “Alaskans of every political stripe” to consider backing him.

“Our future is too important to be hamstrung by partisan divisions,” Murkowski said. “Jonathan understands that governing requires listening to people with different perspectives and finding common ground to solve the problems all of us face.”

Alaska’s News Source reported the endorsement earlier Tuesday.

Polls show Kreiss-Tomkins with a lead over three Republicans