Murkowski endorses Kreiss-Tomkins as GOP figures back Democratic rivals

Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski endorsed Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins in Alaska on Tuesday. The move marks one of several high-profile instances where party leaders are publicly backing opponents in the days leading up to the November election.

Democratic campaigns in multiple states have actively promoted such bipartisan support. In Kansas, former Republican governors Bill Graves and Mike Hayden announced their backing for Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Adam Hamilton in September and October. The campaign for James Talarico, the Democratic U.S. Senate candidate in Texas, stated that more than two dozen former GOP officials have endorsed him.

Kel Seliger, a former GOP state senator in Texas, joined the endorsement list this week. He chose Talarico over Republican candidate Attorney General Ken Paxton. Seliger said he has served with both men and believes Talarico will be honest and frank in office. "I think that the things that he does are going to be what is best for Texas. Not what's best for Elon Musk," Seliger said.

Republican officials also anticipate cross-party voting in their favor. Natalie Baldassarre, national press secretary for the Republican National Committee, cited the race between Mike Rogers and Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan as an example. She also pointed to the "Democrats for Mike Rogers" coalition. Baldassarre said she sees this cycle producing voters who ignore party labels in specific contests.

Political scientist Joshua Blank, research director for the Texas Politics Project, noted that cross-party voting historically affects only a small share of the electorate. "We're not talking about a large group of Republicans crossing party lines to vote for Democrats," Blank said. He described the behavior as idiosyncratic rather than a mass movement. Blank added that the effect could matter if the elections are close.

Recent polling indicates that several midterm races have become increasingly tight, with some contests statistically tied. Candidates continue to publicize their bipartisan appeal in the final stretch of the campaign season.