Democratic Governors Elect Gov. Phil Murphy As Next DGA Chair

Gov. Lujan Grisham Selected As Vice Chair and Chair-Elect for 2020, Chair in 2021

SAN FRANCISCO – America’s Democratic governors voted today to elect New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy to serve as the new Chair of the Democratic Governors Association for 2020. New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham will serve as Vice Chair and Chair-Elect for 2020 and Chair in 2021. The vote occurred at the DGA’s Annual Meeting in San Francisco, CA.
Gov. Murphy has served as DGA Vice Chair since 2018, alongside Chair Gov. Gina Raimondo of Rhode Island.
“I am honored to lead the Democratic Governors Association, and I join my fellow governors in extending our thanks to outgoing Chair Gov. Raimondo for her incredible leadership over the past year,” said DGA Chair Phil Murphy. “Democrats built on the success of 2018, winning in deep-red Kentucky and Louisiana and proved that we can win anywhere. I look forward to continuing that success in 2020 so more Democratic governors can join us in advancing innovative policies to improve the lives of working families.” 
“I am honored to take on this role and to work alongside Governor Murphy heading into a crucial gubernatorial cycle,” said DGA Vice Chair Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. “Democratic governors already represent the majority of Americans and have proven we can win in red, blue, and purple states. In New Mexico, we are delivering results for working families by making college more affordable, expanding renewable energy, and protecting access to health care for people with pre-existing conditions. I am excited to grow our ranks with Gov. Murphy so we can continue to make progress in the states.”
“I am proud of the work I did as Chair of the Democratic Governors Association. We showed that strong Democrats can run on kitchen table issues and win, even in states Trump won by 30 and 20 points,” said outgoing DGA Chair Gov. Gina Raimondo. “We broke fundraising records and invested a historic amount to win in 2019, building on the success of our monumental 2018 cycle. The DGA has now won races in 9 states Trump won in 2016. I am confident that with Gov. Murphy and Gov. Lujan Grisham at the helm, the DGA is in great hands to extend our success into the 2020 cycle.” 
BACKGROUND:
Governor Phil Murphy has been called a “pro-growth progressive” for his commitment to creating a fairer, stronger, and future-focused New Jersey economy. Since taking office in January 2018, Governor Murphy has raised the minimum wage, enacted strong paid family leave and equal pay laws, made health care more affordable, and has finally put the Garden State on a path to fully funding public schools. Under his leadership, New Jersey is a national leader on gun safety and the state is moving towards renewable energy. Prior to running for office, Governor Murphy served as United States Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany under President Barack Obama. Gov. Murphy has served on numerous non-profit boards and has led a national task force on the future of education.
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham made history as the first Democratic Latina elected to serve as Governor of New Mexico. As a 12th-generation New Mexican, she has been laser-focused on expanding opportunities for every New Mexican. In 2019, she oversaw one of the most productive legislative sessions in the state’s history. As a result, Gov. Lujan Grisham is instituting a first-of-its-kind program to make college tuition-free for every New Mexico resident who attends a public college. New Mexico has raised the minimum wage for the first time in a decade so working families can put food on the table. And New Mexico is offering public and private employees options for paid family leave for the first time. Under her leadership, New Mexico has become a national leader in renewable transition efforts. Prior to running for governor, Gov. Lujan Grisham served as a member of Congress for the 1st Congressional District from 2013 until 2018 and as a longtime state Cabinet secretary at both the New Mexico Department of Aging and Long-term Services and Department of Health.