Under the bright Arizona sun, nearly 50 Democratic governors and gubernatorial hopefuls gathered at the storied Arizona Biltmore hotel in Phoenix on December 6-7, 2025. The annual Winter meeting of the Democratic Governors Association (DGA) was more than just a festive holiday retreat—it was a rallying point for a party looking to flex its growing muscle, refine its message, and perhaps, shape the next era of national leadership.
The mood among attendees was unmistakably buoyant, bolstered by recent polling momentum and a string of off-cycle electoral victories. But beneath the surface, a current of anxiety ran strong: the specter of Donald Trump’s enduring influence, looming redistricting battles, and the high-stakes run-up to the 2026 midterms and the 2028 presidential election. According to ABC News, the gathering was a chance for Democratic governors to position themselves not just as defenders of their states, but as national leaders ready to take the fight to the Trump-aligned Republican Party.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, the newly minted Chair of the DGA, summed up the group’s ambitions with characteristic optimism. “I believe that if we continue to show the American people that we are for them, and we recognize the challenges that they face in the immediacy of them, that we understand that the American dream feels like it is unattainable… We'll start winning in places we haven't for a long time,” Beshear declared. He laid out a bold plan to expand the gubernatorial map beyond the 23 seats Democrats currently hold, aiming to reclaim the majority of governorships for the first time in nearly two decades. “We're going to flip some seats, some places that you expect us to compete like Georgia and Nevada, and places that you might not -- like Iowa,” he added.
That message of expansion and optimism was echoed by outgoing DGA Chair Laura Kelly of Kansas, who noted the surge in donor enthusiasm and interest from business and advocacy groups. “We've just seen a real growth in the number of business entities, advocacy groups were interested in what Democratic governors are doing and ensuring that we elect more Democratic governors,” Kelly said, underlining the party’s growing influence at the state level.
Yet, for all the talk of unity and momentum, the question of 2028 hung over the proceedings like a desert mirage. As The New York Times reported, the buzz around whether a governor would emerge as the Democratic presidential nominee was palpable. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, newly elected as DGA vice chair, didn’t mince words: “Anyone who says, ‘We can’t have this one because they’re from the coast, or this one because they’re from the middle of the country, or this one because of their faith, or this one because of their gender, or this one because of their identity’ — B.S. Any one of my colleagues would be a phenomenal candidate.”
Whitmer’s confidence was shared by Kelly, who predicted, “Not only do I think it should be -- it will be,” when asked if the 2028 Democratic nominee would be a governor. The list of potential contenders is long and star-studded: Gavin Newsom of California, JB Pritzker of Illinois, Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, and Whitmer herself. But as The New York Times cautioned, history shows that even the most formidable state leaders can stumble on the national stage. Just ask Scott Walker, Jeb Bush, or Ron DeSantis.
For now, though, the focus remains on the immediate battles ahead. The “affordability” message—touted as a winning formula in New York City, New Jersey, and Virginia—was front and center. Governors and candidates alike emphasized how kitchen-table issues could cut across partisan lines and draw in suburban moderates and independents. Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey, fresh off a victory powered by this very message, put it bluntly: “You can’t just say, ‘Oh, I'm so upset that Trump demolished the East Wing of the White House.’ What you have to say is, look, there is a tariff regime… enriching the President… and you're paying more for everything from your cup of coffee to the groceries you buy for dinner.”
California’s Gavin Newsom, never one to shy away from the big picture, argued that fundraising was key to the party’s prospects. “This organization can do extraordinary things when it has your back,” he said, before pivoting to a sobering warning. Newsom stressed that Trump would remain a kingmaker in 2028, regardless of whether he’s on the ballot. “I still think that the competing narrative of Trump and his incapacity to get off that stage, even if he chooses not to run as he believes he's entitled to a third term, will confound that,” Newsom observed. He didn’t hide his concerns about election integrity either, stating, “I don't think there'll be a free, fair election… in 2028 unless we're successful in 2026. So, I'm here in the spirit of 2026, not for any other reason, here at the DGA, and the imperative for the Democratic Governors Association to be part of that process of renewal and repair.”
Other candidates, like Florida’s David Jolly, are eyeing signs of a Democratic resurgence in unlikely places. Jolly predicted a possible Democratic win in the Miami mayoral race on December 16, 2025—the first in 30 years—which could reshape the state’s political landscape. “I think the Miami mayor's race has already impacted our governor's race because it affirmed the amount of change that's already there,” Jolly said. He sees opportunity in Florida’s large bloc of independents and disaffected Republicans, arguing that a Democratic coalition could make history in the state.
Wisconsin’s Mandela Barnes, meanwhile, is pushing for aggressive redistricting to help Democrats gain two legislative seats, signaling a willingness to take the fight to Republicans on electoral maps. In Iowa, Rob Sand, the state’s only statewide elected Democrat, is less interested in party labels than in bridging divides. “Iowa has shifted from a visibly purple state to an invisibly purple state. It is still purple,” Sand said, emphasizing his commitment to representing all Iowans.
Throughout the weekend, the Democratic governors projected unity and purpose, but they also acknowledged the formidable challenges ahead. The party’s identity crisis at the national level contrasts with the governors’ success in building coalitions and winning tough races. Their state-level executive experience, expanding donor base, and focus on affordability and democracy have made them a bright spot for Democrats—one that could shape the party’s future direction.
Still, as the dust settled in Phoenix, the path forward was clear: Democrats must win in 2026 to have a shot at shaping 2028. The governors left Arizona with a renewed sense of urgency and a message for their party—lead with bold ideas, focus on the issues that matter to voters, and be ready to fight for every inch of political ground. The next chapter of Democratic leadership may well be written by a governor, but only if they can first navigate the treacherous terrain of the next two election cycles.
