Alaska elects first Democratic governor since 1998, aged 37

Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins has won Alaska’s governorship, becoming the first Democrat elected to the office since 1998 and the state’s youngest governor at 37. His victory adds Alaska to a wider set of states where Democrats gained ground in the midterm elections.

The former state lawmaker defeated three Republicans, including Trump-endorsed Bernadette Wilson, after campaigning on affordability, school funding, oil and gas taxes and a pause on new data centres until regulations are passed. He also highlighted the struggling state ferry system and said he would appoint people from across the political spectrum. The state’s Senate race remained uncalled, with Mary Peltola leading Dan Sullivan as 95 per cent of votes were counted.