By Cooper Freeman

Eight years of the Gov. Mike Dunleavy administration have deeply undermined core pillars of our state, from public schools to the health of our fish and wildlife.

When I talk to my young friends and fellow parents in Homer, it’s clear that change is non-negotiable for our next governor.

I believe there’s only one candidate in the race with the vision and track record to build an Alaska we can all be proud of and usher in a new generation of leadership: Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins, or JKT for short.

Along with sharing about our summer adventures, how the dipnetting is going or what’s growing in our gardens, young parents in Homer are discussing whether we can responsibly raise kids in a state with public schools starved of funding, even as our beloved teachers give everything they have.

We don’t just need a candidate who shares our frustrations. We need someone who can actually win. That requires experience building coalitions and winning voters across the political spectrum. JKT is uniquely positioned to do just that.

During his decade in the Alaska House representing rural Southeast, JKT ran and won time and time again as a Democrat in a district that voted for Donald Trump. He is the only Democratic candidate in this race who has proven he can win outside of deep-blue urban centers.

In Juneau, he helped build the bipartisan coalition that brought representatives from across Alaska together to protect public schools, invest in renewable energy, defend reproductive rights and support Alaska Native languages and culture.

Long before bycatch became a mainstream campaign talking point, JKT was in the weeds of Alaska fisheries.

Over 10 years ago, he was advocating for an “Alaska-first” majority on the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council, helping secure seats for Alaskans who would fight for the small-boat fisheries that sustain Homer’s working economy.

In 2021, he helped lead a bipartisan coalition of state legislators, Tribes, NGOs and fishermen to win a historic victory reducing halibut bycatch.

It’s no fluke that JKT was championing priorities that a decade later have become defining talking points for nearly every candidate in the race.

He earned this by putting in the time to deeply understand the issues, articulate solutions and drive them to victory.

Our next governor must roll up their sleeves and work day in and day out with the legislature to move our state forward.

This unique moment requires relying on more than a legacy name or traditional party seniority. Alaska faces modern, complex problems that require a new generation of leadership.

We need a candidate who brings energy and vision, backed by credibility built on years of hard work in coastal and rural communities.

A candidate with these qualities is precisely who will fire up young voters to show up to the polls, compel them to mobilize their friends and ultimately convince voters across the political spectrum to choose a brighter future over more of the same.

That is exactly how we win this election, get our schools and budget back on track and give our generation a reason to stay in Alaska.

I hope Homer voters will join us young folks in getting behind a candidate who gets us excited, understands the unique challenges we face, and will bring a breath of fresh air to the capitol.

JKT is that candidate, and I can’t wait to see him serve as the next governor of our state.

Cooper Freeman lives out East End Road in Homer and is the father of a 1- and 4-year-old.