National group backing Democrat Kreiss-Tomkins puts $650,000 into Alaska campaign

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A national organization has put $650,000 into an Alaska political group, saying it aims to boost the campaign of Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins.

Alaska political experts say Kreiss-Tomkins, a former state representative from Sitka, stands a strong chance of winning the general election after finishing first in the primary election in August. He faces a divided field of three Republicans who are likely to split the GOP vote in the general.

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The Democratic Governors Association disclosed Saturday that it had contributed $650,000 to a newly formed Alaska independent spending group called “Forward Frontier.”

“Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins is running a strong campaign focused on driving down costs, supporting Alaska schools, and bringing people together to get things done,” DGA spokesperson Johanna Warshaw said in an emailed statement Sunday to the Anchorage Press. “The DGA is proud to help ensure JKT is elected governor this November so he can deliver the change Alaskans are looking for."

Kreiss-Tomkins, in an interview Sunday, said that campaign finance law bars him from coordinating with the DGA-aligned group and that he only learned about about the contribution Sunday. "We'll see what they do," he said.

The $650,000 represents a significant sum in Alaska’s gubernatorial race, given that most candidates leading up to the primary struggled to raise more than $1 million. In addition to Kreiss-Tomkins, the field includes former Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson, conservative activist Bernadette Wilson and former Attorney General Treg Taylor.

GOP groups have not disclosed similar national fundraising or spending in the gubernatorial race, though Republican-aligned political consultants from outside Alaska formed their own new independent spending group last week.

“Kodiak PAC” was registered by Casey Phillips, a Virginia-based consultant who describes himself as the “Carrot Top of political ads.” Kodiak PAC’s aim is to “support the election of a Republican governor in Alaska,” the group said in its state registration.

Phillips didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment Monday. The Republican Governors Association, which has financially supported GOP candidates in past Alaska gubernatorial races, also didn’t respond to a request for comment.