Democrats have added two more victories to their 2026 midterm gains: Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins has won Alaska’s governor’s race, and Eileen Laubacher has defeated Republican Representative Lauren Boebert in Colorado. 15
Alaska Elects Its First Democratic Governor in 28 Years
Kreiss-Tomkins, a former state representative from Sitka, is the first Democrat elected Alaska governor since Tony Knowles won reelection in 1998. Knowles, the state’s last Democratic governor, left office in 2002. 12
At 37, Kreiss-Tomkins will become Alaska’s youngest governor. He will succeed term-limited Republican Governor Mike Dunleavy and is scheduled to take office December 7. He campaigned on affordability, public-school funding and an administration drawing on Democrats, Republicans and independents. 12
Reported returns Friday night showed him with 139,293 votes—approximately 50.8%. His nearest opponent, Republican Bernadette Wilson, had 77,110 votes, or approximately 28.1%, with two other Republicans also on the ballot. AP called the race Friday night in Alaska. 34
Democrat Eileen Laubacher Defeats Lauren Boebert
In Colorado’s 4th Congressional District, Laubacher, a retired Navy rear admiral and former National Security Council official, defeated three-term Republican Lauren Boebert, giving Democrats another House pickup. 5
AP called that race on November 13. At the call, Laubacher led 48.8% to Boebert’s 47.9%, with approximately 99% of votes counted. She will be the district’s first Democratic representative since Betsy Markey, who won election in 2008 and served one term. 5
With Alaska’s victory, Democrats are set to hold 30 governorships nationwide, according to AP. Both victories shift Republican-held offices into Democratic hands as the final results of the midterm election continue to emerge. The reported returns remain subject to official certification. 146
Sources & References (14)
Sources & References — separate Publisher Studio field
Reference markers [1]–[6] correspond to the following six entries. Preserve the links. Do not include internal annotations as article paragraphs.
1. The Associated Press — Becky Bohrer. “Kreiss-Tomkins becomes first Democrat since 1998 elected governor in Alaska.” November 14, 2026.
- Supports: Historical milestone, policy priorities, inauguration and projected governorship count.
2. Alaska Public Media — Eric Stone. “Alaska elects Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins governor.” November 13, 2026, Alaska time.
- Supports: Race call, age, predecessor, approach to governing and inauguration date.
3. Alaska’s News Source. “Election Results.” Reported returns checked November 14, 2026.
- Supports: Candidate vote totals and percentages. This is a changing results page.
4. Alaska’s News Source / KTUU — Wil Courtney. “JKT flips governor’s seat blue in Dunleavy referendum.” November 13, 2026, Alaska time.
- Supports: Alaska race call, vote totals and certification status.
5. Colorado Newsline — Lindsey Toomer. “Democrat Eileen Laubacher unseats Rep. Lauren Boebert in Colorado’s 4th District.” November 13, 2026.
- Supports: Colorado race call and percentages at the call; candidate background and district history.
6. CBS Colorado — Dillon Thomas. “Rep. Lauren Boebert loses seat to Democrat Eileen Laubacher, election awaits certification.” November 13, 2026; updated subsequently.
- Supports: Colorado certification status.
The conversation is open
Be the first reader to add a thoughtful response.