Jonathan
S. "JKT" Kreiss-Tomkins / Zac Johnson

Kreiss-Tomkins appeared with the three Republican candidates in a televised debate hosted by Alaska Public Media, KTOO, and Alaska's News Source. He argued for bipartisan cooperation, pledged to put Republicans in his cabinet, proposed taxing Hilcorp's income, called for a constitutional amendment protecting the Permanent Fund, and supported increased and forward-funded public-school budgets.

Alaska Story reported Alaska Survey Research results showing Kreiss-Tomkins leading a ranked-choice simulation 54%–46% after three rounds, with Wilson having led Republicans in all 15 of the pollster's surveys.

In a policy interview, Kreiss-Tomkins said he supports a statewide energy bond, streamlined housing regulations, full public-education funding, a constitutional amendment to forward-fund schools, the Alaska LNG project, and corporate income tax on oil and gas companies. He did not rule out a sales or income tax if needed to balance the budget.

The Alaska Public Offices Commission considered a complaint alleging Johnson failed to disclose income from family-owned Indiana property. Commission staff found the allegation unsubstantiated and commissioners decided not to take action against Johnson.

Campaign-finance reports showed Kreiss-Tomkins raised $2.1 million and had over $1.1 million cash on hand as of Oct. 2. An independent expenditure group supporting him raised $1.5M+ largely from the Democratic Governors Association. Wilson's campaign used the 'Chat-JKT' label in an ad referencing large contributions from California AI-industry employees.

An AARP survey reported by the Anchorage Daily News put Kreiss-Tomkins at 40% first-choice, Wilson 20%, Bronson 14%, and Taylor 7%.

The campaign announced the union's endorsement, highlighting Kreiss-Tomkins's support for coastal infrastructure and a more independent governing structure for the Alaska Marine Highway System.

The campaign announced endorsements from Fairbanks North Star Borough Mayor Grier Hopkins and Fairbanks Mayor Mindy O'Neall.

Kreiss-Tomkins and other Alaska Democratic frontrunners appeared together at an event, presenting markedly similar messages to voters.

A New York Times/Siena poll of 504 likely Alaska voters (Sept. 24–Oct. 1) gave Kreiss-Tomkins 40% first-choice support vs. Wilson 20%, Bronson 15%, Taylor 11%. In the ranked-choice simulation, Kreiss-Tomkins led Wilson 52%–48% in the final round (±5.1 pp margin of error).

The Kreiss-Tomkins campaign announced the endorsement of former Republican state senator, state representative, and 2026 gubernatorial candidate Lesil McGuire.