Democratic governors may offer path forward for party out of power in Washington
PTI
Atlanta, Aug 4 (AP) Anderson Clayton wanted a headline name to speak at North Carolina Democrats' summer gala — but the state party chair bypassed familiar Capitol Hill figures, looking instead to Illinois Gov JB Pritzker.
She described him as 'a real fighter" against President Donald Trump, someone who gets things done because he controls levers of government — unlike any Democrat in Washington.
'I wanted people to hear from one of the Democratic governors who has defended their state, who could look at the president and say, I'm in a position of power right now just like you are, and I'm doing good things,'" Clayton said.
Indeed, some Democratic activists see the party's 23 governors as their best answer to Trump's second Republican presidency. Those statehouse chiefs provide proof voters will embrace alternatives — and could give them a roadmap for the 2026 midterms, when Democrats hope at least to reclaim a US House majority. They also will likely be central to the party's hopes in the 2028 presidential race.
There is no question Democrats are down at the federal level. Republicans control the White House, the House and the Senate, allowing Trump to pursue an aggressive agenda. The party lacks a singular leader, and recent polling shows Democrats are deeply pessimistic about their party's future.
Yet many governors reject the narrative that Democrats are reeling.
'Who was the leader of the Civil Rights Movement? I mean, there were multiple people who had leadership roles," Moore said. 'I mean, if you want to see … the direction that people should be going, show me a place that's delivering results." You have to deliver for people' US Rep Mikie Sherrill, D-New Jersey, has been in congressional majorities and in the minority. Now she's the Democratic nominee for governor in one of two 2025 governor's races. Her former House colleague Abigail Spanberger is the Democratic nominee in Virginia.
'I can tell you what attracted me to run for governor is that there's no ability to blame anything on anybody else," Sherrill said. 'You have a vision as governor, and you have to deliver for people." Emily's List President Jessica Mackler, whose organization backs Democratic women for public office, praised Michigan Gov Gretchen Whitmer, a possible 2028 presidential contender, and Arizona Gov Katie Hobbs, who is seeking reelection in 2026, for cancelling some medical debts.
Pritzker secured a USD 15 per hour state minimum wage. In Kansas, Democratic Governors Association chair and two-term Gov Laura Kelly worked with Republican legislative majorities to reduce and finally eliminate state sales taxes on groceries. Kentucky Gov Andy Beshear and former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, who is running for the Senate, expanded Medicaid insurance coverage in states with Republican legislative majorities.
'Governors are so important because they are on the front lines," Mackler said.
Democratic governors, she added, have shored up abortion access after the Supreme Court's 2022 Dobbs decision ended a national right to the procedure, and they've defended access to health care for transgender patients, even in conservative states. That includes Kentucky's Beshear, elected twice in a state Trump carried three times.
It's about more than Trump Some governors stand out as aggressive Trump critics, including some possible 2028 contenders.
'Our democracy is on the line," Pritzker said at the North Carolina event. 'Are you ready to fight?" California Gov Gavin Newsom jousts with the Trump administration on social media, and he's produced podcasts aimed at Trump voters. Newsom and Pritzker both have asserted themselves in the partisan battle over redistricting congressional district boundaries, a matter Trump is pushing as a way to help the GOP hold more House seats in 2026.
But Sherrill and others say being a Democratic governor is not simply about opposing Trump on a personal or partisan level.
'People are furious that a president who ran on affordability is actually raising costs on everyone," she said.
She cited Trump's trade wars and the GOP's tax cuts that are tilted to the wealthy while their safety net program cuts hit the poor and working class. Democrats, she said, must level attacks based on how policies affect voters, then offer plausible alternatives.
'I'm talking to thousands of New Jerseyans every day, and what I'm hearing is, I just need somebody who's going to go to Trenton and deliver for me,'" Sherrill said.
Republicans have defended their bill, saying it was crucial because there would've been a massive tax increase after December when tax breaks from Trump's first term would expire.
Bright spots for Democrats Bradley Beychok, a Democratic consultant and co-founder of the American Bridge super political action committee, said the dynamics in Washington are frustrating.
'When you lose a presidential election and the House and the Senate, no one is happy, and they shouldn't be," he said.
But, Beychok added, 'the reality is we lost a close election" and had key down-ballot wins.
Republicans had the so-called Washington trifecta at the start of Trump's first term, and Democrats bottomed out then at just 15 out of 50 governors. But in succeeding years they flipped nine governors' seats. Only one Democratic incumbent governor has lost since, and their current slate of 23 includes five of seven presidential battlegrounds Trump swept in 2024.
'People are willing to split their ballots because they connect the results they see on the ground with their governors," said Clayton, who celebrated a win in North Carolina by Democratic Gov. Josh Stein despite Trump carrying the state. 'Now we just have to do a better job of localizing the federal elections the same way." A Spanberger win in Virginia would give Democrats 24 governors heading into 2026, when 36 executive seats will be on midterm ballots. New Jersey currently has a Democratic governor.
Governors can swing the presidential pendulum History suggests a base of state power bodes well for opposition parties in Washington.
Bill Clinton was a longtime governor in 1992 when he ended Republicans' winning streak of three presidential election landslides. His successor, George W Bush, was among the many Republicans governors elected in the GOP's 1994 midterm sweep. Before Clinton and Bush, Republican Ronald Reagan and Democrat Jimmy Carter won the presidency as former governors.
top videos
View all
Many current Democratic executives have visited early nominating states or, like Pritzker, general election battlegrounds. Most of them, Maryland's Moore included, dismiss 2028 speculation.
'We don't have the time," he said. (AP) RD RD
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - PTI) view comments
First Published:
August 04, 2025, 19:30 IST
News agency-feeds Democratic governors may offer path forward for party out of power in Washington
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Economic Times
2 minutes ago
- Economic Times
Trump says he's cut drug prices by up to 1,500%. That's not possible
Synopsis Donald Trump claimed significant drug price cuts, even up to 1500%. Experts refute this, stating such cuts are impossible. They suggest it would mean people are paid to take medicine. The White House defended Trump, citing price differences with other nations. Trump also mentioned future price drops. Some drugmakers are open to cuts. AP Days after he sent letters instructing top pharmaceutical manufacturers to use a "most favored nation" pricing model for prescription drugs, President Donald Trump told reporters on Sunday that he had cut costs by up to 1,500%. But Trump's grandiose claim is mathematically impossible. Here's a closer look at the facts. TRUMP: "You know, we've cut drug prices by 1,200, 1,300, 1,400, 1,500%. I don't mean 50%, I mean 14 - 1,500%." THE FACTS: This is false. Cutting drug prices by more than 100% would theoretically mean that people are being paid to take medications. The Trump administration has taken steps to lower prescription drug prices, but experts say there's no indication costs have seen such a massive drop. Geoffrey Joyce, director of health policy at the University of Southern California's Schaeffer Center, called Trump's claim "total fiction" made up by the Republican president. He agreed that it would amount to drug companies paying customers, rather than the other way around. "I find it really difficult to translate those numbers into some actual estimates that patients would see at the pharmacy counter," said Mariana Socal, an associate professor of health policy and management at Johns Hopkins University who studies the U.S. pharmaceutical market. She added that Trump's math is "really hard to follow." Asked what Trump was using to back up his claim, White House spokesman Kush Desai said: "It's an objective fact that Americans are paying exponentially more for the same exact drugs as people in other developed countries pay, and it's an objective fact that no other Administration has done more to rectify this unfair burden for the American people." The White House provided a chart of price differentials for drugs in the U.S. and comparable countries, but did not offer any other evidence. On Sunday, Trump also described cuts to drug prices as a future development, not that already happened. "So we'll be dropping drug prices," he said. "It will start over the next two to three months by 1,200, 1,300 and even 1,400%." Prices for most prescription drugs - unbranded generics are the exception - are higher in the U.S. than they are in other high-income countries. This is in large part due to the way drug prices are negotiated in the United States. Trump made his recent appeal in letters to 17 pharmaceutical manufacturers, the White House announced last week. He asked them to reduce costs in the U.S. by matching the lowest prices of prescriptions drugs in other comparably developed countries. Some drugmakers have since indicated that they are open to cutting costs. This move follows an executive order Trump signed in May setting a 30-day deadline for drugmakers to electively lower prices in the U.S. or face new limits in the future over what the government will pay. The federal government has the most power to shape the price it pays for drugs covered by Medicare and Medicaid. It's unclear what - if any - impact the Trump administration's efforts will have on millions of Americans who have private health insurance. Socal pointed out that if drug manufacturers had cut costs to the extent Trump claims, they would be shouting it from the rooftops, especially given the heat they've taken over the years for their pricing practices. "My expectation would be that they would make announcements - public announcements - and that those announcements would come way in advance of the actual effective dates when those price cuts would come into effect," she said. Joyce agreed that there has been no indication of a substantial cut. "Not at all, not at all, none whatsoever," he said. "And let alone 1,500."
The Hindu
4 minutes ago
- The Hindu
The Hindu Morning Digest, August 5, 2025
Trump says he will 'substantially' raise tariffs on India over Russian oil purchases; 'unjustified and unreasonable', says New Delhi Less than a week after he announced a 25% tariff on imports from India 'plus a penalty', U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday (August 4, 2025) once again raised the issue of India buying oil from Russia and profiting from it. He stated that he would be 'substantially' raising the tariff 'paid by India to the USA'. The Indian government hit back at Mr. Trump's statements and also criticism from European countries on India's trade with Russia, saying that such 'targeting of India' was 'unjustified and unreasonable'. In a statement, the government pointed out that not only did the U.S. encourage such trade previously, both the European Union and the U.S. continue to actively trade with Russia in excess of the amount that India does. Netanyahu to convene cabinet as Israel decides next steps in Gaza after ceasefire talks collapse Benjamin Netanyahu will convene his security cabinet this week to decide on Israel's next steps in Gaza following the collapse of indirect ceasefire talks with Hamas, with one senior Israeli source suggesting more force could be an option. Bihar leaders find SIR draft rolls 'difficult' to compare Opposition parties in Bihar on Monday (August 4, 2025) accused the Election Commission of India (EC) of 'deliberately' making it 'difficult' for them to compare the electoral rolls issued ahead of the Lok Sabha election in January 2024 with the draft rolls published on August 1 as part of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), even as the poll panel said that no party has filed any claim and objection for addition or deletion of names, yet. Unease prevails in J&K ahead of Article 370 abrogation anniversary With security heightened, unease gripped Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday (August 3, 2025), ahead of the sixth anniversary of the abrogation of the special provisions of Article 370 in the erstwhile State. While National Conference (NC) leader and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah of the National Conference (NC) expressed optimism, the Opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) observed 'a 150-minute blackout' on the occasion. BJP raises spectre of 'political Islam' infiltrating Church in Kerala The BJP has raised the spectre of 'political Islam' infiltrating the Church in Kerala. The party's State vice-president Shone George told a news conference on Monday (August 4, 2025) that radical Islamists, beholden to the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) and Jamaat-e-Islami, had infiltrated Church protests in sizeable numbers, including those led by bishops, across the State. IND vs ENG fifth Test: Mohammed Siraj does the star turn as India levels series with a stunning win Mohammed Siraj couldn't hold back his tears as Dhruv Jurel ran in and hugged him. Shubman Gill stood quietly for a moment, looking up at the sky, before the teammates rushed towards him to celebrate. Prasidh Krishna waved towards the packed stands as the tricolour fluttered high. It seemed after 25 days of riveting action, the best was saved for the last as India came from behind to pull off a six-run win against England in the fifth Test and draw the series 2-2. Sheikh Hasina completes a year in exile in India as Bangladesh plans election in 2026 A year after then Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina fled Dhaka and arrived in India, she remains in regular contact with Awami League party leaders in Bangladesh and in exile around the world. Her exact whereabouts in the present and political future, however, remain a mystery, as New Delhi has discouraged her and her supporters from overt political activity. Ms. Hasina now faces a number of charges over corruption, human rights violations and even war crimes during her tenure, making her return to Dhaka unlikely at present. Meanwhile, after saying he would not stop the Awami League from standing for elections expected to be held in mid-February 2026, Bangladesh interim government's Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has banned the erstwhile ruling party and its students' wing, making it impossible for them to participate. Skeletal remains found at new location near site no. 11 in Dharmasthala The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged burials at Dharmasthala found a few skeletal remains at a new location, which was near site no. 11, in the temple town, on Monday. As the SIT was preparing to dig at site no. 11, which was among the 13 burial sites identified by the 50-year-old complainant, he suggested that a site at a new location nearby also be dug. The SIT personnel found a human skull and a few bones of a human body at the new site in the Banglegudde area. Israeli ex-security chiefs urge Trump to help end Gaza war Hundreds of retired Israeli security officials, including former heads of intelligence agencies, have urged U.S. President Donald Trump to pressure their own government to end the war in Gaza. 'It is our professional judgement that Hamas no longer poses a strategic threat to Israel,' the former officials wrote in an open letter shared with the media on Monday. Lok Sabha disrupted as Opposition seeks debate on Bihar SIR Parliament did not function on Monday (August 4, 2025) with Opposition parties disrupting the Lok Sabha over demands for a discussion on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. The Rajya Sabha was adjourned as a mark of respect for member Shibu Soren, who passed away. Rahul Gandhi to begin yatra covering 30 districts in Bihar from August 17 The Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi will set out on the 'Matdata Adhikar (voters' rights) Yatra' in Bihar in three phases covering 30 districts from August 17. The yatra, originally scheduled to begin on August 10, has been 'postponed by a week' following the death of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader Shibu Soren, Congress spokesperson Asit Nath Tiwari told The Hindu.
Mint
4 minutes ago
- Mint
Trump administration to require bonds of up to $15,000 for travellers to enter the US
The steep price of the bond could make entering the U.S. prohibitive for some. The State Department may require travelers entering the U.S. from certain countries to post a bond of up to $15,000, a move aimed at deterring foreigners from overstaying their visas. Applicants for business and tourist visas from countries with high overstay rates would provide the funds to the U.S. Treasury and get them back if they exited before their visas expired, according to a notice published Monday outlining the yearlong pilot program. The bond amount of between $5,000 and $15,000 would be determined by a State Department consular officer reviewing a visa application, unless the requirement is waived, according to the announcement in the Federal Register. The program is a 'key pillar of the Trump Administration's foreign policy to protect the United States from the clear national security threat posed by visa overstays and deficient screening and vetting," the notice said. The steep price of the bond could make entering the U.S. prohibitive for some would-be foreign travelers. The notice doesn't outline which countries would be affected but said the department would announce the covered countries 'no fewer than 15 days before the Pilot Program takes effect." The requirement wouldn't apply to most European countries as well as South Korea, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, and other countries whose citizens don't require U.S. visas for temporary visits. A State Department spokesperson didn't respond to a request for comment on the program. Countries with some of the highest visa overstay rates in recent years include Afghanistan, Haiti, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Chad, Sudan and Myanmar, according to a Customs and Border Protection report to Congress last year. The State Department has in the past been reluctant to employ visa bonds because the 'mechanics of posting, processing and discharging a bond are cumbersome," according to the program announcement. The new program aims to test that notion 'to inform any future decision concerning the possible use of visa bonds." Write to Robbie Gramer at
