Governors are the leaders of the executive branch in each U.S. state. Like the president, they veto laws or sign bills into law. Like Congress, state legislatures submit bills to the governor.
Governors have a large influence in a state, especially in regard to budgets, infrastructure, education, public health, and zoning. Here are the current governors of each state where I CAN partners with organizations in providing premier service expansions to include civic education and naturalization test prep.
Washington: Bob Ferguson
- Political Party: Democratic
- Year Elected: 2024 (Assumed office January 2025)
- Major Policy Achievements: As the former Attorney General, he famously blocked the first version of the Trump travel ban and secured multi-billion dollar settlements from opioid distributors.
- Priorities: Protecting reproductive rights, addressing the fentanyl crisis, and climate change mitigation.
- Criticisms: Criticized by opponents for his past support of drug decriminalization measures and for a perceived “activist” approach during his time as Attorney General.
- Personal Fact: He is an internationally rated chess master.
Oregon: Tina Kotek
- Political Party: Democratic
- Year Elected: 2022
- Major Policy Achievements: Declared a homelessness state of emergency upon taking office and signed major legislation to boost housing production and semiconductor manufacturing (CHIPS Act).
- Priorities: Housing affordability, behavioral health/addiction services, and stabilizing the state’s education system.
- Criticisms: Has faced backlash regarding the slow rollout of addiction services following the partial repeal of Measure 110 (drug decriminalization).
- Personal Fact: She was the first openly lesbian person elected as a state governor in U.S. history.
California: Gavin Newsom
- Political Party: Democratic
- Year Elected: 2018 (Re-elected 2022)
- Major Policy Achievements: Enacted the “CARE Court” for mental health treatment and signed sweeping climate laws targeting 100% clean energy by 2045.
- Priorities: Homelessness, universal pre-K, and positioning California as a “sanctuary state” for abortion and LGBTQ+ rights.
- Criticisms: Frequent criticism over the state’s high cost of living, the exodus of businesses, and his handling of the 2021 recall attempt.
- Personal Fact: He is dyslexic and has spoken openly about his struggles with reading and writing throughout his education. Newsom is rumored to be a contender for the presidency in 2028.
Nevada: Joe Lombardo
- Political Party: Republican
- Year Elected: 2022
- Major Policy Achievements: Signed a record-breaking education budget and approved public funding for a new Major League Baseball stadium in Las Vegas to boost tourism.
- Priorities: School choice, expanding Nevada’s energy independence, and “tough-on-crime” public safety measures.
- Criticisms: Vetoed dozens of Democratic-led bills on housing and gun control, leading to a contentious relationship with the state legislature.
- Personal Fact: He served as the Sheriff of Clark County (Las Vegas) during the 2017 Route 91 Harvest festival shooting.
Arizona: Katie Hobbs
- Political Party: Democratic
- Year Elected: 2022
- Major Policy Achievements: Secured a bipartisan budget that included significant investments in water infrastructure and K-12 education.
- Priorities: Water security, housing affordability, and protecting election integrity.
- Criticisms: Criticized by Republicans for her heavy use of the veto pen (setting a state record) and her handling of border security issues.
- Personal Fact: She began her career as a social worker specializing in domestic violence and homelessness. Hobbs won an incredibly close race in 2022, defeating Republican Kari Lake.
Utah: Spencer Cox
- Political Party: Republican
- Year Elected: 2020 (Re-elected 2024)
- Major Policy Achievements: Spearheaded the “Disagree Better” initiative and signed legislation restricting social media use for minors.
- Priorities: Housing “starter home” initiatives, energy production (Operation Gigawatt), and water conservation for the Great Salt Lake.
- Criticisms: Often criticized by the farther-right wing of his own party for his moderate stance on social issues and willingness to compromise.
- Personal Fact: He still lives on his family farm in the small town of Fairview (population ~1,200). Cox has partnered with Colorado Governor Jared Polis to reduce harm caused by polarization and encourage bipartisanship. He was also Governor of Utah during the assassination of pod-caster Charlie Kirk.
New Mexico: Michelle Lujan Grisham
- Political Party: Democratic
- Year Elected: 2018 (Re-elected 2022)
- Major Policy Achievements: Established universal free college tuition for residents and enacted some of the nation’s strictest methane capture rules for oil and gas.
- Priorities: Early childhood education, expanding the clean energy economy, and healthcare access.
- Criticisms: Faced legal challenges and intense backlash over her 2023 executive order temporarily suspending concealed carry in Albuquerque.
- Personal Fact: She is a 12th-generation New Mexican with deep family roots in the state.
Colorado: Jared Polis
- Political Party: Democratic
- Year Elected: 2018 (Re-elected 2022)
- Major Policy Achievements: Signed universal full-day kindergarten into law and significantly reduced the state’s income tax rate.
- Priorities: Achieving 100% renewable energy by 2040 and reducing the cost of living through land-use reform.
- Criticisms: Has faced pushback from local governments over his attempts to centralize zoning and housing authority at the state level.
- Personal Fact: He was a successful tech entrepreneur and is the first openly gay man elected governor of a U.S. state.
Idaho: Brad Little
- Political Party: Republican
- Year Elected: 2018 (Re-elected 2022)
- Major Policy Achievements: Oversaw the largest tax cuts in state history and implemented the “Idaho Launch” program to fund vocational training for students.
- Priorities: Cutting “red tape” (regulation reduction), investing in rural infrastructure, and strengthening the agricultural economy.
- Criticisms: Criticized by some conservatives for his moderate handling of COVID-19 mandates and for vetoing certain socially conservative bills.
- Personal Fact: He is a third-generation rancher and was raised on a sheep and cattle operation.
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