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Sebelius Elected Chair of Democratic Governors Association

Washington, D.C. – Outgoing Democratic Governors Association (DGA) Chair New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson today announced that Democratic governors elected Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius 2007 DGA Chair.

Gov. Sebelius will be the first female chair in DGA history.

West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin has been named Vice Chair and Chair-elect for 2008.

“I’m honored to have an active role in the leadership of the DGA,” Gov. Sebelius said. “Democratic governors are, by nature, results-oriented public policy entrepreneurs. I intend to strengthen the DGA’s role as a clearinghouse for best practices in the states. It’s been my experience that good policy equals good politics. And I expect that to be a hallmark of my leadership as DGA Chair.”

She continued, “We commend Governor Richardson for his strong leadership. Under his chairmanship, the DGA has been at the center of this two-year election cycle – providing support for strong candidates who have given us a decisive majority of governorships. The DGA is stronger today than it’s been in more than a decade, and Governor Manchin, our colleagues, and I stand ready to continue moving it forward.”

Gov. Sebelius pointed out that the Democratic governors’ majority status is an important part of winning the White House in 2008. “After inaugurations in January,” she said, “states with Democratic governors will account for 295 electoral votes, up from 207 electoral votes.”

Named by Time Magazine one of America’s five best governors, Gov. Sebelius was just re-elected with 58 percent of the vote, even though fewer than a third of voters are registered Democrats in Kansas.

Gov. Richardson said, “Democratic governors are connecting with voters and winning in both red and blue states. Our common-sense approach to solving problems resonates with voters regardless of their political party. These successes are helping to build grassroots support and strength for Democrats in all regions of the country.”

Gov. Sebelius explained how the DGA will be competitive and win in the coming years. “We will do well in 2007 and 2008 using the same strategies that worked in 2005 and 2006 – early investments in and support for strong candidates, leveraging our relationships with allied organizations, and making sure every voter knows why it’s so important to have a governor who shares their values.”

Capitalizing on the momentum from 2005, Democrats re-elected every Democratic governor who was up for re-election this year, held onto the only Democratic open seat, defeated one incumbent Republican governor, and picked-up five Republican open seats.

“The 2006 election proved that Democratic governors can be competitive and win in every region of the country – regardless of labels – because we share the values of working Americans and they support our innovative leadership,” Gov. Sebelius concluded.

Copyright & Paid for by The Democratic Governors Association

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