Progressive governor and former vice presidential candidate Tim Walz is spearheading a Democratic initiative to sway one of the nation’s most impactful bipartisan groups against President Donald Trump. According to a report by a mainstream media outlet, Walz, the governor of Minnesota and former running mate of ex-Vice President Kamala Harris, is considering withdrawing from the bipartisan National Governors Association (NGA) due to concerns that it is not adequately resisting Trump’s policies.
The Atlantic reported that at least two Democratic governors, including Walz and fellow Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly, are choosing to halt their NGA dues payment this month. Their decision stems from frustrations with the organization’s perceived lack of action against what they view as violations of states’ rights by the Trump administration.
The issues raised include disputes over federal fund disbursements, clashes over transgender athlete policies, and the deployment of the California National Guard to address riots in Los Angeles. The Atlantic also cited three other unnamed sources revealing that several Democratic governors share the same frustrations with the NGA.
The NGA, established in 1908 as a platform for bipartisan cooperation among governors, boasts all 50 governors and leaders of five U.S. territories as members. Eric Wohlschlegel, NGA communications director, emphasized that the organization’s mission remains unchanged – to unite governors from both parties around common goals.
Despite the controversy surrounding Walz’s actions, a source familiar with the situation attributed the discord to Democratic infighting, campaign positioning, and attempts to politicize a nonpartisan institution. The source highlighted that no governors have publicly expressed dissatisfaction with the NGA, and there have been no allegations of misconduct or mismanagement.
While the internal power struggle persists, the NGA’s upcoming summer meeting in Colorado Springs anticipates record attendance from both Republican and Democratic leaders. The organization continues to serve as a bipartisan convener, upholding its role in fostering consensus governance.
As the situation unfolds, it is evident that bipartisan organizations like the NGA are essential during these divisive times. Both incoming NGA chair, Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt of Oklahoma, and outgoing chair, Democratic Gov. Jared Polis of Colorado, stress the importance of finding common ground and working together to address pressing national challenges.
