In Olympic Valley, Democratic former Montana Governor Steve Bullock and former Republican governors Matt Mead of Wyoming and Butch Otter of Idaho reminisced about the alliances they had built a decade ago on issues such as wildfire costs and sage-grouse habitat, which had since evolved into close friendships. Despite being from different parties, Mead and Otter refused their party’s requests to campaign against Bullock due to their friendship and belief in his leadership for Montana. In 2014, the three friends were part of the Western Governors’ Association, which had a diverse group of governors from both parties, representing over half of the member states. However, in more recent years, the association has seen a decline in bipartisan participation, with only five governors attending the full event this year.
Among the governors who attended the event were Republicans Joe Lombardo of Nevada, Brad Little of Idaho, Doug Burgum of North Dakota, and the outgoing chair Mark Gordon of Wyoming, with only one Democratic governor, Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico, staying for more than a couple of hours. Current California Governor Gavin Newsom made a brief appearance during the conference to welcome attendees but did not participate in the full event. The majority of attendees were policy staff members, consultants, and members of the organization’s youth leadership program, reflecting a shift in the demographics of the conference attendees.
The gathering at the Everline Resort & Spa highlighted the importance of bipartisan relationships in governance, with Newsom and Gordon briefly acknowledging the association’s history of bipartisanship. While the event served as a platform for networking and discussion on critical issues facing Western states, the absence of several governors, particularly from the Democratic party, raised concerns about the dwindling bipartisan cooperation within the association. The decline in participation from both parties could potentially hinder the ability of the Western Governors’ Association to address key challenges effectively and find collaborative solutions for the region.
The camaraderie and friendships formed between governors of different parties, such as Bullock, Mead, and Otter, serve as a reminder of the value of working across the aisle to achieve common goals. Their shared commitment to addressing issues like wildfire costs and habitat preservation demonstrates the positive outcomes that can result from bipartisan cooperation. The Western Governors’ Association, once a forum for governors to come together and collaborate on shared interests, faces a challenge in maintaining its bipartisan identity amidst shifting political dynamics and declining participation from both sides of the aisle.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, the Western Governors’ Association must find ways to reinvigorate bipartisan cooperation and encourage greater participation from governors of all parties. Building on the example set by leaders like Bullock, Mead, and Otter, who prioritized friendship and collaboration over party politics, the association can work towards fostering a more inclusive and effective platform for addressing the unique challenges facing Western states. By recognizing the importance of bipartisanship and solidarity in governance, the Western Governors’ Association can continue to serve as a valuable forum for governors to come together, share ideas, and work towards solutions that benefit all residents of the region.
