Governors Cite Collaboration Bipartisanship as Key Themes
A recap of the “America at 250 Forum"
The Pew Charitable Trusts and Disagree Better hosted an event Feb. 18 featuring Utah Governor Spencer Cox (R), Maryland Governor Wes Moore (D), and Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt (R) that was moderated by journalist Steve Inskeep, the host of NPR’s “Morning Edition.” The conversation focused on how civil political discourse helps foster a strong republic.
Pew’s cohost for the event was the nonprofit Disagree Better, which began as an initiative launched by Gov. Cox during his tenure as the chair of the National Governors Association in 2023 and is now an independent nonprofit.
The conversation focused on ways the governors have worked across party lines to find solutions for their states. Each also highlighted that public service and community building were central to their vision for America’s future.
The governors talked about finding common ground, reducing divisiveness, and addressing key challenges through civil conversation and bipartisan collaboration—and they noted that mutual understanding and collaboration are critical to creating solutions.
When asked about the importance of collaborating across the aisle, Gov. Moore focused on the strength in numbers. "Individually, [governors] are restrained,” he said. “But if you actually choose to move in partnership … there really is nothing that you won't be able to get done and accomplish."
Gov. Stitt agreed with this sentiment. "Here's a Republican and a Democrat governor from different states that literally agree on probably 80% of the things,” he said. “And the things we disagree on, we can have honest conversations about."
And more than just being able to work together, Gov. Cox stressed that we must collectively be better. "This experiment in self-government can't work unless we change the incentives,” he said. “We have to be civically minded again, and we just have to be good people. If America ceases to be good, she ceases to be great.”
The need to make bipartisanship more visible was another important theme the three touched on.
“If we can inspire and teach and share what we're seeing and what we're experiencing and the friendships we have across the aisle, I think that's healthy for America to see," said Gov. Stitt.
The event was part of Pew’s celebration of the United States’ semiquincentennial. A recording of the governors’ conversation is available online.
Nasserie Carew is senior vice president and chief communications officer at The Pew Charitable Trusts.
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