By SUZANNE DOWNING
July 2, 2026 – Anchorage singer-songwriter Tom Begich has unveiled another endorsement in his campaign for governor, and this one comes from perhaps his closest political protégé: Sen. Löki Tobin of Anchorage.
The endorsement is unlikely to surprise anyone who has followed Alaska politics over the past four years.
In 2022, Tom Begich, then a Democratic member in the Alaska Senate representing downtown Anchorage, unexpectedly declined to seek a third term. The decision caught many political observers off guard, particularly because it came shortly before the filing deadline.
Stepping into the race at the same moment was Tobin, who was at the time serving as Tom Begich’s longtime legislative aide and policy director. She filed for the now-open Senate Seat I just before the deadline and ultimately won the election, ensuring the heavily Democratic district remained in the same political orbit.
Since taking office, Tobin has risen quickly through Senate leadership. She now chairs the Senate Education Committee and has become one of the Legislature’s most outspoken advocates for transgender youth, positions that have made her a favorite among radical activists while drawing raised eyebrows from mainstream Alaskans.
Tom Begich’s campaign highlighted Tobin’s endorsement this week as part of an effort to consolidate support among Democratic activists.
For conservatives and moderates, however, the endorsement underscores how far left Tom Begich’s campaign has moved.
His choice of running mate, Julia Hnilicka, was already viewed as a signal that the campaign would appeal primarily to the far-left wing of the Democratic Party. Adding Tobin’s endorsement reinforces that lane.
Tobin’s legislative record is radical but unproductive.
While she has sponsored or co-sponsored numerous bills, the only measure to become law with her as the prime sponsor to date is Senate Bill 46, which established March as Brain Injury Awareness Month in Alaska. Gov. Mike Dunleavy signed the measure into law on April 23, 2024.
Tobin remains a polarizing figure in Alaska politics. She has attracted statewide attention for her advocacy on education policy and issues involving transgender youth, and photographs of her wearing a “Protect Trans Kids” hat have circulated widely on social media.
In a statewide race where independent and moderate voters often determine the outcome, embracing one of Alaska’s most radical legislators may solidify support on the left, pulling votes from Jonathan Kreiss Tomkins and Bill Walker, but it provides Republicans with fodder to point out that the Begich-Hnilicka ticket is well outside the political mainstream.
3 thoughts on “Power play? Tom Begich proudly touts endorsement from radical protégé Sen. Löki Tobin”
Gee Tom, that’s on the same level as conquering a VD.
Tom, WTF? How do you keep getting all of these young, communist babes in your camp? Must be the music and grandpa vibes you give off. I tried to do it, but my singing drove them away. You’re like a commie magnet. Really, you’ld have more fun with your own reality show as an old gray-haired hippie stringing along with chickies down in Girdwood, rather than selling yourself as a reliable governor. The public needs you for amusement, not serious business. Talk to Nicholas and get realed-up.
Same song, second verse …
1. Tom Begich decided that the state senate seat he held was his to give away. Rather than allow others to file and run for this senate seat and allow the voters in that district to vote for their next state senator he gave the seat away (at 4:55 p.m. on the last day to file) to his gal pal Luke Tobin. He figured he knew better than the voters in that district. For this reason and several others, I will not vote for Begich in his current race or any in the future. There is no telling what sort of underhanded and selfish shenanigans he will pull off if he ends up in Juneau again.
2. Just like Begich, Rob Myers decided to gift his state Sente seat to one of the most dishonorable, dishonest, unethical, and unintelligent members of the state house. Myers chose Frank Tomaszewski to replace him on the last day for anybody else to file for this race. For Myers, he followed the Begich game plan.