Republican Governors Association
Republican Governors Association | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Chair | Bill Haslam (TN) |
| Vice Chair | Pete Ricketts (NE) |
| Executive Committee | Matt Bevin, Phil Bryant, Doug Burgum, Eric Holcomb, Asa Hutchinson, Susana Martinez, Mary Fallin, Scott Walker |
| Founded | 1963 |
| Headquarters |
1747 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 250 Washington, DC 20006 |
| Political position |
Center-right Christian right Social conservatism Libertarianism |
| Affiliated | Republican Party |
| Governorships |
33 / 50 |
| Website | |
|
www | |
The Republican Governors Association (RGA) is a Washington, D.C.-based 527 organization founded in 1963, consisting of U.S. state and territorial Republican governors. The Republican Governors Association is dedicated to one primary objective: electing and supporting Republican governors.[1]
The current RGA chairman is Governor Bill Haslam of Tennessee, who assumed the office in November 2017 at the RGA leadership conference in Austin, Texas. Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts was elected as vice chairman.[2][3]
The RGA’s Executive Committee for 2018 includes Governors Scott Walker of Wisconsin, Susana Martinez of New Mexico, Mary Fallin of Oklahoma, Doug Burgum of North Dakota, Eric Holcomb of Indiana and Phil Bryant of Mississippi. In addition, Governor Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas was elected RGA Policy Chairman, and Governor Matt Bevin of Kentucky was elected RGA Policy Vice Chairman.[4]
Its Democratic Party counterpart is the Democratic Governors Association. The RGA is not directly affiliated with the non-partisan National Governors Association.
Current Mission Statement
The current mission statement of the RGA is as follows:
| “ | The Republican Governors Association is dedicated to one primary objective: electing and supporting Republican governors. Republicans now hold 33 governorships – a historic high – and more than twice the amount of governorships held by Democrats. All across America, Republican governors are implementing innovative ideas, lowering taxes, creating more job opportunities and achieving meaningful reform. Republican governors are America’s doers. We are transforming our states for the better, driving economic growth, reinventing state government and getting results. The RGA continues to be the most effective political organization in America and Republican governors continue to be the best investment for advancing conservative policies across the country. We are moving America forward![5] | ” |
List of current Republican governors
| Current Governor | State | Past | Took office | Current term |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kay Ivey | Alabama | List | 2017 | First Term |
| Doug Ducey | Arizona | List | 2015 | First Term |
| Asa Hutchinson | Arkansas | List | 2015 | First Term |
| Rick Scott | Florida | List | 2011 | Second Term (term-limited in 2018) |
| Nathan Deal | Georgia | List | 2011 | Second Term (term-limited in 2018) |
| Butch Otter | Idaho | List | 2007 | Third term (Not seeking reelection in 2018) |
| Bruce Rauner | Illinois | List | 2015 | First Term |
| Eric Holcomb | Indiana | List | 2017 | First term |
| Kim Reynolds | Iowa | List | 2017 | First Term |
| Jeff Colyer | Kansas | List | 2018 | First term |
| Matt Bevin | Kentucky | List | 2015 | First term |
| Charlie Baker | Massachusetts | List | 2015 | First term |
| Paul LePage | Maine | List | 2011 | Second term (term-limited in 2018) |
| Larry Hogan | Maryland | List | 2015 | First Term |
| Rick Snyder | Michigan | List | 2011 | Second Term (term limited in 2018) |
| Phil Bryant | Mississippi | List | 2012 | First term |
| Mike Parson | Missouri | List | 2018 | First term |
| Pete Ricketts | Nebraska | List | 2015 | First term |
| Brian Sandoval | Nevada | List | 2011 | Second term (term-limited in 2018) |
| Chris Sununu | New Hampshire | List | 2017 | First term |
| Susana Martinez | New Mexico | List | 2011 | Second term (term-limited in 2018) |
| Doug Burgum | North Dakota | List | 2016 | First term |
| John Kasich | Ohio | List | 2011 | Second term (term-limited in 2018) |
| Mary Fallin | Oklahoma | List | 2011 | Second term (term limited in 2018) |
| Henry McMaster | South Carolina | List | 2017 | First term |
| Dennis Daugaard | South Dakota | List | 2011 | Second term (term-limited in 2018) |
| Bill Haslam | Tennessee | List | 2011 | Second term (term-limited in 2018) |
| Greg Abbott | Texas | List | 2015 | First term |
| Gary Herbert | Utah | List | 2009 | Second term (elected to first full term in 2012) |
| Phil Scott | Vermont | List | 2017 | First term |
| Jim Justice | West Virginia | List | 2017 | First term |
| Scott Walker | Wisconsin | List | 2011 | Second Term |
| Matt Mead | Wyoming | List | 2011 | Second term (term-limited in 2018) |
Two Governors of U.S. territories are also Republicans:
| Governor | Territory | Prev | Took office | Seat Up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eddie Baza Calvo | Guam | List | 2011 | 2018 (term-limited) |
| Ralph Torres | Northern Mariana Islands | List | 2015 (succeeded) | 2018 |
List of RGA Chairs
Current and former RGA Chairs.
Executive Directors
| Term | Director |
|---|---|
| 1963–1964 | Robert McCall |
| 1966 | Carl McMurray |
| 1967–1969 | Richard Fleming |
| 1971–1975 | Buehl Berentson |
| 1976–1980 | Ralph Griffith |
| 1980–1981 | Ronald Rietdorf |
| 1981 | John Stevens |
| 1982–1985 | Carol Whitney |
| 1985–1991 | Michele Davis |
| 1991–1995 | Chris Henick |
| 1995–1996 | Paul Hatch |
| 1996 | LeAnne Wilson |
| 1997 | Brian Kennedy |
| 1997–2000 | Clinton Key |
| 2000–2001 | Michael McSherry |
| 2001 | Duncan Campbell |
| 2001–2002 | Clinton Key |
| 2002–2004 | Edward Tobin |
| 2004–2005 | Mike Pieper |
| 2005–2006 | Phillip Musser |
| 2006–2011 | Nick Ayers |
| 2011–2014 | Phil Cox |
| 2014–present | Paul Bennecke |
2018 Election Cycle
36 gubernatorial races are scheduled to occur during the 2018 election cycle. These elections will be held on November 6, 2018.[6]
In 2017, it sponsored a website The Free Telegraph to promote issues from the perspective of Republicans.
Fundraising
In the 18 months ending June 30, 2010, the RGA raised $58 million, while its counterpart DGA raised $40 million. "Unlike the national political parties and federal candidates, the governors' associations can take in unlimited amounts from corporations," according to Bloomberg Businessweek, which notes that the RGA recently received $1 million from Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation, the parent corporation of Fox News, and $500,000 from WellPoint, a major US health insurance firm.[7]
In 2018, the Republican Governors Association announced that $63.2 million was raised in all of 2017, including $27.2 million raised in the final six months of the year, setting a new fundraising record that significantly eclipses the $52.5 million raised in 2013, the last comparable year.[8]
References
- ↑ "About the RGA". Archived from the original on 2007-07-27.
- ↑ Ebert, Joel (2017-11-16). "For second time, Gov. Bill Haslam elected to serve as RGA chief". Tennessean. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
- ↑ Jon Thompson [@JonThompsonGOP] (2017-11-16). "GOP Governors have elected Tennessee's @BillHaslam to serve as RGA Chairman for 2018 & Nebraska's @GovRicketts to service as RGA Vice Chairman. @The_RGA" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ↑ Staff, RGA (2017-11-16). "RGA Announces 2018 Leadership" (Press release). RGA. Retrieved 2018-02-19.
- ↑ Haslam, Bill. "RGA". Retrieved 2018-02-19.
- ↑ Haslam, Bill. "RGA". Retrieved 2018-02-19.
- ↑ Jonathan D. Salant (August 16, 2010). "Republicans See Gains in Governors' Races as Funding Hits Peak". Business Week. Retrieved August 17, 2010.
- ↑ "RGA Breaks Fundraising Records, Brings In $63 Million in 2017" (Press release). Washington, DC: RGA. 2018-01-31. Retrieved 2018-02-19.
