Trump Skips Traditional Governors’ Dinner as NGA Leaders Convene in Washington

Updated 2026-02-19 05:15:03+00:00 (6 articles)

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Bipartisan Leadership Highlights at NGA Meeting Republican Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt served as chair and Democrat Maryland Governor Wes Moore as vice‑chair of the National Governors Association, trading jokes and noting they agree on roughly 80 % of policy issues while expressing optimism about three productive days of dialogue [1].

President Trump Breaks Custom by Excluding Governors President Donald Trump declined the long‑standing invitation to host all governors, labeled Stitt a “RINO,” and blamed Moore for a recent sewage spill linked to a federally regulated pipeline, marking a clear departure from presidential tradition [1].

Tensions Over Federal Authority Escalate Trump’s second term has seen the withholding of federal funds and the deployment of troops over local objections, while Utah Governor Spencer Cox warned that such actions exceed constitutional limits and urged Congress to intervene [1].

Future of Bipartisan Dialogue Remains Uncertain Trump dismissed Moore and Colorado Governor Jared Polis as “not worthy of being there,” highlighting a guest‑list dispute that casts doubt on the durability of the bipartisan tone, even as Stitt called the conference “bigger than one dinner at the White House” and Moore forecast a productive agenda [1].

Sources

1.
AP: Governors Meet in Washington Amid Trump’s Break with Tradition – Reports the NGA conference where Stitt and Moore led bipartisan talks, details Trump’s refusal to host governors, his insults toward Stitt and Moore, and the broader conflict over federal overreach, emphasizing both the optimism of the governors and the heightened tensions with the White House .
2026-02-19 05:15:03+00:00

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Timeline

1913 – The U.S. Senate Historical Office records that the first senator becomes a governor, beginning a pattern in which 22 senators later serve as governors, with seven transitioning directly to the governor’s mansion, establishing a precedent for legislators seeking executive state power [4].

1974 – CNN’s tracking of congressional members who run for governor begins, providing the baseline that shows the 2025‑2026 cycle features the highest number of House Republicans seeking governorships since that year [1].

2024 – Indiana’s Mike Braun wins the gubernatorial race while still a junior senator, becoming the most recent example of a senator moving straight to a governor’s office, underscoring the appeal of state executive roles [4].

Dec 7, 2025 – Democratic governors convene in Phoenix and adopt affordability—housing, child‑care, utilities, groceries—as the core message for 2026 campaigns, with Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear urging a “laser focus on everyday financial concerns” [6].

Dec 8, 2025 – The Democratic Governors Association meets at the Arizona Biltmore to plot a 2026 midterm strategy; Beshear, now chair, pledges to flip Iowa, Georgia, and Nevada and expects Democrats to hold a majority of governorships by 2026. He warns, “Most of America should feel betrayed right now with the tariffs making everything more expensive and the Big Ugly Bill and what it’s going to do” [2].

Dec 25, 2025 – Ten GOP House members launch gubernatorial bids—the most since 1974—signaling a shift toward state leadership; Rep. Michael McCaul cites a “toxic environment” in Congress as a driver, while Rep. Elise Stefanik suspends her campaign and announces she will not seek House reelection [1].

Jan 12, 2026 – As DGA chair, Beshear tells the AP that Democrats must talk about rising family costs and the “why” behind policies, linking faith to values and urging candidates to attack Trump’s tax and spending bill for cutting health‑care and food assistance [5].

Jan 29, 2026 – Four sitting senators—Amy Klobuchar (MN), Michael Bennet (CO), Marsha Blackburn (TN), and Tommy Tuberville (AL)—announce gubernatorial runs, joining a wave of eleven senators planning retirement and highlighting the view that a governor’s single vote “carries more weight than being one of a hundred” [4]; Bennet condemns Washington’s inertia and Trump’s “declared war” on Colorado [4].

Feb 19, 2026 – At the National Governors Association conference, Republican Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt and Democrat Maryland Gov. Wes Moore share the stage, noting they agree on roughly 80 % of issues; President Trump breaks tradition by skipping the White House governors’ dinner, labeling Stitt a “RINO” and blaming Moore for a sewage spill, while Utah Gov. Spencer Cox warns that “presidents aren’t supposed to do this stuff,” urging Congress to curb executive overreach [3].

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