Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, a Democrat elected in a predominantly Republican state, announced this week that he will release a book in September focusing on his political beliefs, titled "Go Do That." They presented themselves to frustrated Democratic voters as ready to take on Republicans. The Trump administration's decision to withdraw National Guard troops from Los Angeles, Chicago, and Portland, Oregon, came after months of pressure from state governors, local officials, and protesters in those cities. Immigration enforcement officers were also pulled from Minneapolis after the killing of American citizens by federal officers, following persistent resistance from Democratic politicians in Minnesota, including Governor Tim Walz. In many states, notably California, Democratic governors have similarly resisted Trump administration efforts to redraw congressional districts to maintain the Republican Party's slim majority in the House of Representatives.
Fuel for the Fight At the National Governors Association's winter meeting in Washington, Trump's interactions with governors could add fuel to the presidential nomination fights for both parties, including Republicans who may seek to succeed Trump, such as Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. It was unclear until the last minute whether those White House meetings would take place. Maryland Governor Wes Moore has published five books, including a memoir titled "The Other Wes Moore." From Christian Science Monitor
Primaries Currently, polls show that former Vice President Kamala Harris would lead the Democratic presidential primaries in 2028, but at this stage, it largely reflects only the name recognition. Meanwhile, she has shown an ability to attract attention, using social media to mock the president and harass other leading Republicans, including potential 2028 rival, Vice President JD Vance. Newsom also drew attention by hosting "Make America Great Again" movement supporters, including Steve Bannon and Charlie Kirk, on his show "Gavin Newsom Talks," before the latter's assassination last September. Many Democratic governors in the 2028 presidential race have also published their memoirs. The two recently traded barbs on social media after Trump blamed the Maryland governor for a major sewage spill into the Potomac River. The sewer line that failed is the responsibility of the District of Columbia's water utility and is not under Maryland's control. Republican Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, the association's chair, initially said he would cancel the White House events because Democratic governors were not invited. Trump responded that it was a "misunderstanding," saying Democrats were in fact invited, except for Maryland Governor Wes Moore and Colorado Governor Jared Polis. Trump has publicly criticized Polis over the case of Tina Peters, a former Colorado elections worker who was convicted in state court of misusing voting equipment while trying to find evidence that the 2020 election was stolen. Other Democrats in the race include former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, and New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. If Newsom officially enters the 2028 nomination race, which is likely to start about a year from now, he will face questions about his extremely liberal California policies and past political missteps, including a notorious dinner at a fancy restaurant outside San Francisco at the height of the pandemic lockdown. Democratic strategist Jim Manley says of the two-term California governor: "It takes a lot to get there, and he's doing it. He has a lot of baggage he'll have to deal with, but right now, he's really doing a good job of taking on Trump." In recent years, the governorship has not been a stepping stone to the presidency. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro's memoir "Where We Keep the Light" made headlines for its candid account of his meeting with Kamala Harris, the 2024 Democratic presidential nominee. California Governor Gavin Newsom's memoir "Young Man in a Hurry" was released on February 24. As the National Governors Association's annual winter meeting kicks off in Washington, prominent Democratic governors will once again be in the spotlight. This year, the brightest lights at the governors' association meeting may be on many Democratic governors who appear to be preparing to run for president in 2028. From California Governor Gavin Newsom and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro to Illinois JB Pritzker, Kentucky Andy Beshear, and Maryland Wes Moore, a number of Democratic governors are considered top figures to win their party's nomination in 2028, though it's still early. One reason they are drawing attention is that they have found ways to successfully challenge President Donald Trump at the state level, and sometimes in court. Newsom, another prominent political figure, usually comes in second. Trump can only pardon for federal crimes. For potential 2028 presidential candidates like Moore, the fight with Trump could be politically beneficial. The last governor to win a first presidential term was George W. Bush of Texas in 2000. Similarly, the president criticized the Maryland governor over his handling of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore in 2024.
Nitty-Gritty In recent years, the governorship has not been a stepping stone to the presidency. The last Democratic governor to win a first presidential term was Bill Clinton of Arkansas in 1992. University of Virginia political analyst Larry Sabato says, "Governors deal with the nitty-gritty of governing, which makes it hard for them to break through in today's chaotic media environment. It doesn't help to put out broad-brush slogans like 'Make America Great Again.' Yet, the executive experience that governors gain can be an asset for those seeking the nation's top job. California Governor Newsom often points out that he runs the most populous U.S. state as well as the fourth-largest economy in the world.
