WGA was pleased to host a lunch with Western Governors and Governors-Elect at the National Governors Association’s Seminar for New Governors in Colorado Springs on Nov. 16. Pictured above, left to right: Nevada Governor-Elect Steve Sisolak, Utah Gov. Gary Herbert, Wyoming Governor-Elect Mark Gordon, Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, Guam Governor-Elect Lou Leon Guerrero, Colorado Governor-Elect Jared Polis, Kansas Governor-Elect Laura Kelly, South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard, Montana Gov. Steve Bullock, and Idaho Governor-Elect Brad Little.
The Western Governors’ Association offers its congratulations to the 11 new Western Governors elected on Nov. 6, 2018 and the 6 incumbents reelected. We look forward to working with these governors to amplify their messages, regionalize their priorities and help leverage their collective influence. They include:
Alaska: Mike Dunleavy spent nearly two decades in northwest Arctic communities working as a teacher, principal and superintendent. He has served in the Alaska Senate since 2013. Takes office: Dec. 3, 2018
New Mexico: Michelle Lujan Grisham is a 12th generation New Mexican and currently in her third term in Congress. She previously served as Secretary of Health of New Mexico and Bernalillo County Commissioner. Takes office: Jan. 1, 2019
South Dakota: Kristi Noem is a lifelong farmer and rancher and was first elected to public office in 2006. First elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2010, she will become South Dakota’s first female governor. Takes office: Jan. 5, 2019
California: Gavin Newsom, current Lieutenant Governor of California and former Mayor of San Francisco, founded a group that managed 23 wineries, restaurants, and hotels after college. Takes office: Jan. 7, 2019
Guam: Lou Leon Guerrero, currently the Bank of Guam President, is a nurse and former Guam Senator who has won numerous awards for nursing and business. Takes office: Jan. 7, 2019
Idaho: Brad Little, a third-generation Idahoan and rancher, is the current Lieutenant Governor of Idaho. Prior to his appointment as lieutenant governor, he served in the state senate from 2001 to 2009. Takes office: Jan. 7, 2019
Nevada: Steve Sisolak served on the Nevada Board of Regents and as chairman of the Clark County Commission after a career in business. He is credited with helping to bring the Golden Knights of the National Hockey League and Raiders of the National Football League to Las Vegas. Takes office: Jan. 7, 2019
Wyoming: Mark Gordon is a rancher, small businessman, and current Wyoming State Treasurer, where he has grown the state’s portfolio by $5 billion. He and his wife run a cow breeding operation. Takes office: Jan. 7, 2019
Colorado: Jared Polis has served in Congress since 2009. He is also an entrepreneur and founder of several businesses, including American Information Systems and ProFlowers. Takes office: Jan. 8, 2019
Kansas: Laura Kelly was elected to the Kansas Senate in 2004. She previously served as the executive director of the Kansas Recreation and Park Association and holds degrees in psychology and therapeutic recreation. Takes office: Jan. 14, 2019
Oklahoma: Kevin Stitt is the founder of Gateway Mortgage Group, which today employs 1,200 people and has 164 field offices in 41 states. A fourth-generation Oklahoman, he and his wife have six children. Takes office: Jan. 14, 2019
Arizona: Doug Ducey
Northern Mariana Islands: Ralph Torres
Hawaii: David Ige
Nebraska: Pete Ricketts
Oregon: Kate Brown
Texas: Greg Abbott
The new governors will join the following Western Governors, who were not up for re-election:
American Samoa: Lolo Matalasi Moliga
Montana: Steve Bullock
North Dakota: Doug Burgum
Utah: Gary Herbert
Washington: Jay Inslee
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