“The Western Governors' Association offers an opportunity to work constructively on the challenging issues affecting western states. The Bipartisan development and sharing of best practices and solutions has enriched all of us in the West. ”
— Former Nebraska Governor Ben Nelson (1996 Chair)
“The American West is a special place, with unique challenges and opportunities that transcend partisanship. Western Governors Association is an invaluable resource to develop policy solutions and bring Governors together to address critical regional priorities. I know my time with WGA helped me serve the people of Colorado better, and I appreciate all the work we did together, Republicans and Democrats, on behalf of citizens across the West.”
— Former Colorado Governor Bill Owens (2005 Chair)
“As a former Chairman of the WGA, I have seen firsthand how the organization elevates and expands our platform and brings solutions to a wide range of public policy issues vital to our citizens and our states. Jumping in and getting involved in the WGA has been one of the best decisions I ever made as Governor. ”
— Former Idaho Governor Butch Otter (2011 Chair)
“The good will and comity among my Western colleagues often stood in stark contrast to the negativity associated with Washington, D.C. WGA was the perfect place to come together and know we were making important advances for the people we each served back home. ”
— Former Washington Governor Christine Gregoire (2012 Chair)
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“My participation in the Western Governors’ Association, and the lasting friendships I’ve developed with my fellow governors, has been one of the most rewarding experiences of the past decade… For me there has been no better platform for addressing those challenges and advancing the interests of Utah than the Western Governors’ Association.”
— Former Utah Governor Gary Herbert (2013 Chair)
“I cannot overemphasize the importance of the Western Governors’ Association. WGA has been instrumental in bringing western governors together to address our shared challenges, and to find consensus at a time when our Nation is increasingly divided. In almost every way, it plays an essential role.”
— Former Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper (2014 Chair)
“Working closely with the Governors from other western states, with similar challenges, has been particularly beneficial for all of us. From federal land ownership issues to the conservation of sage grouse to workforce development to developing west-wide drought policy, WGA is the perfect forum to develop bipartisan solutions.”
— Former Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval (2015 Chair)
“I have valued my eight years in the Western Governors’ Association. We have developed bipartisan solutions to some of our most challenging issues. We have forged deep and meaningful friendships among fellow governors. I will miss working with such a dedicated group of professionals, but know that the future of the WGA and the West is bright. ”
— Former Wyoming Governor Matt Mead (2016 Chair)
“The Western Governors’ Association offers a meaningful policy forum for debate and dialogue among the Governors on the issues that uniquely affect the West, but the value of the WGA for me has far exceeded the outcomes of our regular meetings and policy discussions.”
— Former Montana Governor Steve Bullock (2017 Chair)
“WGA has been an effective way to collaborate on issues, learn best practices, and influence federal policy. As a governor, I’ve learned from my fellow state leaders, and made friends along the way. I’ve truly enjoyed my participation in WGA. ”
— Former South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard (2018 Chair)
“Bipartisan” is a term that is easily thrown around, but I have found it to be a core value of the Western Governors… In my time as Chair, I was inspired by the true bipartisan collaboration of the governors. While we don’t always agree philosophically, we are all committed to supporting each other in ways that improve the lives of those who live, work and play in Western states.”
— Former Hawaii Governor David Ige (2019 Chair)
“The Western Governors’ Association has consistently proven to be an invaluable resource, enabling the exchange of ideas and amplifying our collective voices with Congress and the Administration in Washington, D.C., where education is often needed on issues critical to North Dakota such as farming and energy production. ”
— North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum (2020 Chair)
“The Western Governors’ Association is… a place we can set aside partisanship and think about what binds us together, what we can do collectively to produce constructive changes on the priorities we agree on, whether that is by sharing best practices from our states or lifting up our good ideas to the federal government as laboratories of innovation. Our country needs that kind of leadership. ”
— Former Oregon Governor Kate Brown (2021 Chair)
“The power of the Western Governors’ Association is in the power of collaboration. Oftentimes we wear our political “jerseys,” so to speak, but when we get together as Governors through the WGA, we take off those jerseys and work together on what’s best for the West. The WGA reinforces that we can get things done when we stay focused on issues where we agree – which, by the way, happens to be a lot.”
— Idaho Governor Brad Little (2022 Chair)
“Western states are leading the way in addressing issues like water, public lands, geothermal energy and more. The Western Governor’s Association brings bipartisan Governors together to roll up our sleeves, get things done and make our states better for everyone who calls them home.”
— Colorado Governor Jared Polis (2023 Chair)
