“Governors Get Things Done”: Democratic Governors Stood Out at DNC Convention Year in Review

“Governors Get Things Done”: Democratic Governors Stood Out at DNC Convention

Axios: “Many of the biggest stars of the Democratic convention — and the party’s future — sit well outside the halls of the Capitol.” 

Following the Democratic National Convention last week, several news outlets have highlighted the ubiquitousness of the nation’s Democratic governors, from a “sold out, star-studded event, coupled with the slate of governors taking prime-time speaking spots,” and how this was “indicative of the rising eminence of chief executives within the Democratic Party,” National Journal reports.  National Journal added: “Over the last four years, governors have been thrust into the spotlight typically reserved for Washington luminaries, after managing the COVID pandemic and post-Roe reproductive-rights battles in the states.”

Axios added: “Many of the biggest stars of the Democratic convention — and the party’s future — sit well outside the halls of the Capitol.”

NBC News also noted how a record-breaking 11 sitting Democratic governors – including Vice Presidential nominee Minnesota Governor Tim Walz – spoke during the evening and primetime during this year’s Convention.

Read more below:

• National Journal: ‘Governors get things done’: How the DNC is showcasing the nation’s chief executives
  • “The sold out, star-studded event, coupled with the slate of governors taking prime-time speaking spots during this week’s convention, was indicative of the rising eminence of chief executives within the Democratic Party.”
  • “Over the last four years, governors have been thrust into the spotlight typically reserved for Washington luminaries, after managing the COVID pandemic and post-Roe reproductive-rights battles in the states.”
  • Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear: “It’s our job to create jobs, to expand health care, to take these infrastructure dollars and put them into work in our community. I think, more now than ever, people just want a better life, and a governor shows up every single day to do that.”
  • “State-level Democrats who spoke to National Journal also expressed optimism that a Walz vice presidency could provide them with a critical ally in the executive branch who understands the complexities of governing a state.”

• Axios: 1 big thing: Democrats look past Washington
  • “Many of the biggest stars of the Democratic convention — and the party’s future — sit well outside the halls of the Capitol, Axios’ Sam Baker writes.”
  • “Why it matters: The Democratic National Committee took a lot of heat in the Obama years for neglecting state-level organization, as the party suffered steep losses in statehouses and gubernatorial races.”
  • “Now, most of Democrats’ top national prospects hail from outside Washington — including Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Govs. Andy Beshear (Ky.), Roy Cooper (N.C.,) Wes Moore (Md.), Gavin Newsom (Calif.), Josh Shapiro (Pa.) and Gretchen Whitmer (Mich.).”

• NBC News: Record number of governors speaking at Democratic convention

• • “A record number of sitting Democratic governors — 11 — are speaking at this year’s party convention, according to the Democratic Governors Association.”
  • “The high number ‘highlights the increasing role and voice they have within the party and country,’ Sam Newton, a spokesperson for the association, told NBC News.”
  • “In 2020, five sitting governors spoke at the Democratic convention, and in 2016, four spoke at the convention.”