by Nancy Lord

Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins and Zac Johnson are a winning team for Alaska.

The race to be the next governor and lieutenant governor for Alaska is solidifying, with 17 teams competing for your vote. One team of new leadership is particularly well positioned not just to be elected but to get the work done for Alaskans by being practical and working well with others.

I have known Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins (known as JKT) since he was a college student. He impressed me then with his creative thinking, work ethic and ability to get things done. After being elected to the Alaska House at the age of 23, to represent Southeast communities including Sitka, he impressed me again with his ten years of public service. He was both trusted by his constituents for his hard work and integrity and well respected by his legislative colleagues. He championed bipartisan coalitions, which continue today to work together to serve Alaskans. JKT concerns himself with ideas and solutions, not with parties or who gets what credit. 

JKT has already visited numerous Alaska communities, including several villages in northwest Alaska he traveled to by snowmachine, and he has been to Homer twice so far, including a well-attended music and taco gathering two weeks ago. The energy he shares is building a movement to bring Alaskans and their families a brighter future.

Zac Johnson is likely a new name for many. He was born in Alaska and educated at UAA. A Marine Corps veteran and former Alaska State Trooper, he is now in his second term on the Anchorage Assembly, representing South Anchorage and Girdwood. Like JKT, he is committed as a public servant to find common ground for the issues we all face. Although the team will be on a Democratic ticket, Johnson considers himself to be independent.

Out-going governor Dunleavy has frustrated many by refusing to work with the legislature or listen to constituents and by vetoing broadly supported bills, including those that have to do with education. How refreshing it will be to have a can-do team in place to work for Alaskans by solving problems! It’s definitely time to welcome a new generation of leaders who won’t bow to special interests and who will build strong coalitions for meeting Alaskans’ needs.

JKT and Zac Johnson are those leaders. Just some of their priority issues are adequately funding and forward-funding education, protecting the Permanent Fund, ensuring that oil companies pay a fair share of taxes and protecting Alaska fisheries.

Homer folks are welcome to stop by the Moderates and Progressives Together office in the lower level of the Kachemak Center, behind Panama Reds. The JKT and Johnson team, along with other moderate and progressive candidates, have an information desk there with materials including yard signs.

As the race heats up, you’ll be hearing a lot more from JKT and Johnson. I encourage voters to stay engaged with the governor’s race as well as those for other offices. Learn about all the candidates so that you can make informed choices.

Remember that in the August 18 primary, voters will choose one team from among the many running for governor and lieutenant governor. The top four vote-getters will advance to the November election, in which voters can rank the four choices. Our open primary and ranked choice election system allows voters the freedom of choice instead of being limited to candidates chosen by political parties.

Nancy Lord is a long-time Homer resident and writer who once worked in the legislature for legends Hugh Malone and Vic Fischer.