Tom Begich, a Democratic candidate running for Alaska governor, announced he is suspending his campaign.

The former state senator endorsed fellow Democrat former state Rep. Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins in the race.

Both candidates advanced to the general election in Alaska’s open primary earlier this month.

“Today, Julia and I are suspending our campaign and endorsing Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins for Governor of Alaska. More than 34,000 Alaskans put their trust in us, and thousands more gave their time, energy, and support to this campaign. We will never forget that,” Begich announced.

“What we built together does not end here. The work continues, and so does our commitment to building a better future, made in Alaska. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for believing in us and for being part of this campaign,” he added.

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Julia Hnilicka was a candidate for lieutenant governor, running alongside Begich.

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The Hill shared further:

The Cook Political Report, a nonpartisan election forecaster, rates Alaska’s gubernatorial race to replace Gov. Mike Dunleavy (R) as “likely Republican.”

Kreiss-Tomkins led the pack in Alaska’s open primary race earlier this month with nearly 23 percent of the vote, according to Decision Desk HQ. Begich received just under 21 percent, and Republican candidate Bernadette Wilson garnered 10 percent.

Wilson and Kreiss-Tomkins will face off in the general election this November.

Former Alaskan Gov. Tony Knowles (D) has backed Kreiss-Tomkins in this race. The Democrat is running to expand Medicaid coverage, bring down energy costs, fund public education and expand affordable housing options in the state.

The former state representative also supports a moratorium on all new data centers in the state until Alaska’s legislature passes “comprehensive regulation” for these projects, according to his campaign website.

Wilson has campaigned on a platform to eliminate income-based inequality in education, promote the state’s oil and gas industries and partner with President Trump. The state has voted for Trump in the last three presidential elections.

“What matters most is making sure Alaska gets a governor who will move us forward,” Begich said in a statement to Newsweek.

“We believe the best way to do that now is to bring together the people, energy and momentum we have created and put our strength behind one candidate,” he added.

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Newsweek has more:

Alaska voters narrowed the field in the state’s top four primary earlier this month, sending two Democrats, including Begich, and two Republicans to November’s general election under the state’s ranked-choice voting system.

While forecasters including the Cook Political Report and Sabato’s Crystal Ball rate the race as favorable to Republicans, limited polling has pointed to a competitive contest.

Begich’s exit could reshape the field by prompting voters to consolidate behind remaining candidates, though it remains unclear how those votes will be redistributed, with prediction markets showing Kreiss-Tomkins’ odds soaring. Alaska’s ranked-choice voting system further complicates the outlook ahead of November.

 

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