DGA Announces Kansas Governor Laura Kelly As Chair
DGA Announces Kansas Governor Laura Kelly As Chair
Today, the Democratic Governors Association announced that Vice Chair and Kansas Governor Laura Kelly will fulfill the remaining term as Chair of the Democratic Governors Association after serving as Vice Chair since December 2022 and following the news that DGA Chair and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has been selected as Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate.
“I am honored to serve as the next chair of the Democratic Governors Association. I want to thank Governor Tim Walz for his leadership and partnership over this last year, helping to steer the ship to success – including breaking fundraising records and putting Democratic candidates for governor in the best position to be competitive in tough races this year. We will do everything in our power to ensure success of the Harris-Walz ticket this November,” said DGA Chair Governor Laura Kelly. “With reproductive freedom, democracy, and voting rights on the line, the stakes couldn’t be higher, and it’s never been more important to elect Democratic governors. I know what it means to win tough races in a red state. The DGA was by my side for two tough fights in 2018 and 2022, and I’m glad to be by theirs as we sprint to the finish line to elect Democratic governors in key states across the country and build on the DGA’s record of success this fall.”
“We are thrilled to have Governor Laura Kelly serve as the DGA’s next Chair as we keep our foot on the gas headed into these final months of the 2024 election,” said DGA Executive Director Meghan Meehan-Draper. “By focusing on the issues that matter most to Kansans, Governor Kelly has shown what effective leadership looks like, and has been a huge asset to the DGA in her role as Vice Chair these last two years. Governor Kelly knows what it takes to win tough races in some of the most challenging environments, and we are grateful to have her leadership and guidance at the helm of the DGA.”
As DGA Chair, Gov. Walz was a tireless advocate for electing more Democratic governors across the country and held Republicans accountable for their failed and “weird” agenda, all while helping the organization shatter fundraising records. The DGA invested nearly $10 million in 2022 to help reelect Gov. Walz.
BACKGROUND:
Governor Laura Kelly brings together both parties to get things done for Kansas. She has brought jobs, businesses, opportunities, and record economic success to Kansas. During Gov. Kelly’s first year as DGA Vice Chair in 2023, the DGA helped lead the charge to re-elect Governor Andy Beshear in deep red Kentucky.
In her first term as governor, Gov. Kelly fulfilled her promise to put Kansas back on track after years of fiscal mismanagement, harmful budget deficits, and underfunded schools. She’s worked with both parties to balance the budget, fully fund schools, grow the economy, and rebuild the state’s infrastructure. Under Gov. Kelly’s leadership, Kansas has seen a record of over $18 billion dollars of investment in new business initiatives and the creation and retention of over 65,000 jobs, including the largest economic development project in the state’s history with a $4 billion investment and up to 4,000 direct new jobs.
Previously, Gov. Kelly was executive director of the Kansas Recreation & Park Association and served in the Kansas Senate, where she built a reputation as a no-nonsense leader who worked with both Republicans and Democrats to build common ground and get things done.
After making history in her decisive second-term victory in a state Trump won in 2020, Gov. Kelly is building on her accomplishments and charting a bold agenda for Kansans.
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