Two leading Democratic governors are distancing themselves from the National Governors Association (NGA), citing frustration over the group’s muted response to Trump administration policies and recent federal funding cuts that directly impact states.
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, who chairs the Democratic Governors Association (DGA), will formally exit the NGA at the end of the month, according to a source familiar with her decision. Kelly plans to halt all participation in the NGA’s work and will no longer pay membership dues.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, a former DGA chair, is also stepping back. He will stop paying dues next year while he reassesses his affiliation with the organization, a second source confirmed.
Their decisions come as bipartisan engagement within the NGA appears to be declining, with some governors expressing discontent over the group’s perceived lack of advocacy on behalf of state interests—particularly as the Trump administration and Congress scale back federal funding and increase federal overreach.
“The NGA is not living up to the most fundamental aspect of its mission,” said the source familiar with Kelly’s stance. “While governors face real-time federal interference, the organization remains silent.”
Founded as a bipartisan coalition for U.S. governors to collaborate on shared policy issues, the NGA is currently chaired by Democratic Gov. Jared Polis of Colorado. The group rotates leadership between the two major parties annually.
NGA spokesperson Eric Wohlschlegel responded to the governors’ departures by highlighting strong participation across party lines and record attendance at recent events. “We continue to see strong engagement from governors nationwide,” he said.
Still, frustration is mounting. One source described a “shocking lack of willingness” by the NGA to speak out on state sovereignty issues—particularly following Trump’s deployment of the National Guard to Los Angeles during immigration protests and the recent passage of a congressional rescissions package that slashed critical funding to states like Kansas.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, the NGA’s incoming vice-chair, acknowledged the grievances. “I’ve heard the frustration—and I think it’s justified,” he told ABC News. Moore, a rising Democratic leader, said the group’s failure to respond to Trump’s public feud with Maine Gov. Janet Mills “can never and should never be tolerated again.”
Despite her withdrawal, Gov. Kelly is not urging other Democrats to follow her lead. However, she remains open to returning should the NGA recommit to bipartisan, state-centered work.
Gov. Moore remains optimistic. “The value of this organization is worth fighting for,” he said, expressing hope that Kelly and Walz might rejoin as he works to reform the group’s direction and restore trust.
“I hear their frustrations,” Moore said. “And I plan on addressing them.”
