DGA Elects Washington Gov. Jay Inslee As Next Chair

Raimondo to Become Vice Chair

Today, America’s Democratic governors elected Washington Gov. Jay Inslee to be the new Chair of the Democratic Governors Association. Joining him in the organization’s leadership is Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo as Vice Chair.  

Along with the announcement, the DGA released a video introducing Governor Inslee as Chair and laying out the organization’s priorities heading into the 2018 election cycle. Watch the video HERE.

Inslee has served as DGA Vice Chair since December 2016. He takes over from exiting Chair Gov. Dan Malloy of Connecticut, who served two consecutive one-year terms starting in December 2015.

“The DGA is proud to announce Governor Jay Inslee will serve as its next chair,” said Gov. Malloy. “Governor Inslee has been a leader in progressive, pro-growth policies in Washington state. And Governor Inslee has played a critical role in supporting Democratic governors across the country.  Democrats are going on offense in 2018, and I look forward to continuing to work with Inslee and the DGA to elect many more Democratic governors across the country next year.”

Inslee was elected this morning by fellow Democratic governors. His term as Chair begins today.

“The entire DGA thanks Governor Malloy for his amazing leadership this past year,” said Inslee. “Under Gov. Malloy’s leadership, the DGA broke fundraising records, swept the 2017 election cycle, and re-elected all of its Democratic incumbents in 2016.

“At a time voters are witnessing a complete breakdown of leadership in DC, states and governors are proving we can still get things done. Democratic governors are standing strong to protect middle-class families and lead the way on policies that strengthen our communities, grow our economies and protect affordable health care,” Gov. Inslee added. “We’ve seen an incredible groundswell of new candidates running up and down the ballot, and the 2018 cycle is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to elect new Democratic leaders in states across the country. Electing Democratic governors is the best way to combat the dysfunction in DC, strengthen the Democratic Party, and unrig the electoral map by stopping Republican gerrymandering in 2021.”

Governor Raimondo will serve as DGA Vice Chair. Raimondo was elected in 2014, becoming the first female governor in Rhode Island history. 

“I look forward to working alongside Governors Inslee heading into this crucial gubernatorial election cycle,” said Gov. Raimondo. “We have a historic number of candidates running in 2018 in red, blue and purple states alike. The 2018 cycle is also an opportunity for us to grow the ranks of female governors, with strong candidates running across the country.”

Governor Cuomo will serve a second year as DGA Policy Chair. He was elected as Policy Chair in December 2016.