Full Breakdown
Kevin Stitt Hosts Final National Governors Association Summit Amid Ongoing Tension with President Trump
7/31/2026, 11:07:37 PM
Core Event: NGA Summit in Oklahoma City
From Thursday, July 30, through Saturday, the NGA will meet in Oklahoma City, concluding Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt’s year as chair. The agenda includes a “Common Ground” town-hall on Friday with incoming Democratic chair Wes Moore of Maryland, plus closed-door council and executive-committee sessions. Governors from Colorado, Delaware, North Carolina, Utah, Vermont, Kansas, Minnesota and Wyoming are slated to attend.
Background & Context
Stitt took the NGA chairmanship in early 2025, promoting bipartisan cooperation while defending states’ rights. In February 2025, a dispute erupted when President Donald Trump initially refused to invite two Democratic governors to a White House NGA meeting. Stitt argued that a “National Governors Association meeting” must include all governors, prompting Trump to reverse the exclusion and label Stitt a “RINO.” The episode showed Stitt’s willingness to challenge the former president despite overall support for Trump. Earlier this year, the NGA issued a statement calling for a reset of immigration policy after two ICE-related killings, reflecting Stitt’s occasional alignment with broader federal concerns.
Key Figures
- Kevin Stitt – Republican governor of Oklahoma, term-limited in January 2027, former NGA chair.
- Wes Moore – Democratic governor of Maryland, set to become NGA chair after the summit.
- Donald Trump – Former president, who publicly criticized Stitt.
- Jared Polis – Democratic governor of Colorado, mentioned as one of the governors initially excluded from the White House dinner.
Official Statements & Responses
Stitt has repeatedly asserted that election administration is a state responsibility, noting Oklahoma’s requirement that all absentee ballots be notarized and counted promptly after polls close at 7 p.m. He warned that federalizing elections would create a “pendulum swing” with successive administrations altering rules. In response to Trump’s criticism, Stitt said he simply reminded the president that a genuine NGA meeting must include every governor, emphasizing a working relationship while prioritizing Oklahoma’s interests.
Criticism & Opposition
Democratic legislators in Oklahoma have accused Stitt of failing to foster cross-party dialogue within the state’s Republican-controlled legislature. Trump reiterated the “RINO” label in public remarks.
Data & Statistics
- In the 2024 presidential election, President Trump carried all 77 counties in Oklahoma.
- Oklahoma law requires every absentee ballot to be notarized before it can be counted.
- The scheduled NGA summit lists participation from at least eight additional states, though the total number of attending governors has not been confirmed.
Timeline
- February (year unspecified) – Stitt confronts Trump over exclusion of Democratic governors from a White House NGA meeting.
- July 30, 2026 – NGA summit begins in Oklahoma City.
- July 31, 2026 – “Common Ground” town-hall with Stitt and Wes Moore.
- Later this month – Stitt reflects on his two terms as Oklahoma governor.
Why It Matters
The summit tests bipartisan collaboration among state executives amid heightened political division. Stitt’s emphasis on state-level election control and his clashes with Trump illustrate the tension between federal authority and states’ rights. The transition to Wes Moore’s chairmanship could shift the NGA’s agenda toward more Democratic priorities ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
What’s Next
After the Oklahoma City meeting, Wes Moore will assume the NGA chairmanship. Gov. Stitt has indicated he will complete his term in January 2027 and then return to the private sector, leaving open the possibility of future political involvement.
