DGA Ends Year in Strongest Position Ever

Washington, D.C. – After last night’s resounding victories have brought the number of Democratic Governors to the highest level since 1994, the Democratic Governors Association (DGA) stands ready to work with President-elect Barack Obama. DGA Chair Gov. Joe Manchin said that Election Day capped off a tremendously successful year for the DGA.

“The DGA’s victories last night bring our majority of Democratic Governors to twenty-nine,” Gov. Manchin said. “With our new, greater majority, we will work with President-elect Obama to restore the broken state-federal partnership and deliver the change Americans are yearning for. Now is the time for us – Democrats and Republicans – to roll up our sleeves and get to work for the American people.”

The DGA set out to accomplish three goals this year: 1) win the three targeted, competitive races in Washington, North Carolina, and Missouri; 2) raise at least $20 million and bank at least $9 million; and 3) expand Democratic governorships by one. DGA Executive Director Nathan Daschle said in reference to the goals, “Check, check, check.” Daschle went on to review the DGA’s successes. “We targeted three races, and we won them all. We raised a record-breaking $21 million and are on track to obliterate our all-time cash-on-hand record. On top of all that, we grew our ranks to the greatest number since 1994 when most political observers expected a wash.”

Daschle summed it up by saying, “We are not only pleased with our success as an organization, but we are also excited about what this says about our country. More Americans are choosing Democratic leadership at the state level than any time in the last 14 years, and Democratic Governors are poised to play a key role in the Obama Administration.”

The DGA helped to re-elect each of the four Democrats seeking re-election in Washington, West Virginia, Montana, and New Hampshire. Democrats retained their two open governorships in North Carolina and Delaware. They also continued the trend of winning GOP seats by helping to elect Jay Nixon in Missouri.

Many ballots are still being counted in Washington, but the early numbers show that Gov. Chris Gregoire has won the race by a far greater margin than four years ago. North Carolina was a hard-fought race, but in the end, Gov.-elect Bev Perdue’s ideas and vision resonated with voters, and she will become the state’s first female Governor. Rounding the number of new Democratic Governors to three is Jack Markell in Delaware, who won his race by three dozen points.

Because of the DGA’s record fundraising, the organization was able to invest more into the most competitive states – in Washington and North Carolina individually – than any other races in history.

Gov. Manchin concluded, “Last night proves that Americans know that Democrats are effective leaders who get results. With President-elect Obama taking office in January, we will work through these tough economic times and make our states and our nation stronger and stronger.”