Full Breakdown
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt Leads Final NGA Chairmanship Amid Election-Rights Debate and AI Regulation Push
8/1/2026, 9:38:15 PM
Core Event: NGA Summer Meeting in Oklahoma City
The National Governors Association held its 2026 summer meeting in Oklahoma City from July 30 to July 31. Hosted by Governor Kevin Stitt, the gathering marked his last week as NGA chair and featured the hand-over to Democratic Maryland Governor Wes Moore. About 15 governors attended, with agenda items on artificial-intelligence (AI) use in political campaigns, a first-spouses panel, and bipartisan dialogue on state governance.
Background & Context
Stitt, a term-limited Republican governor, assumed the NGA chair in 2025 after a clash with former President Donald Trump in early 2024. Trump had barred two Democratic governors from a White House meeting, prompting Stitt—then NGA chair—to press for their inclusion. Trump responded by labeling Stitt a “RINO.” The episode highlighted Stitt’s emphasis on states’ rights and resistance to federal overreach in elections.
Official Statements & Responses
- Stitt said he may call a special legislative session to consider new AI-related statutes.
- Governor Wes Moore noted Maryland’s existing AI restrictions in campaigns and expressed interest in broader regulation.
- The NGA announced a $1 million partnership with the nonpartisan organization RAISE US to help states develop AI policy models, beginning in Arkansas, Connecticut, Maryland, and Utah, with findings to be shared at the NGA’s 2027 winter meeting.
Data & Statistics
- 31 states have enacted legislation aimed at AI use in political campaigns.
- 15 governors participated in the July 30-31 meeting.
- The NGA-RAISE US partnership is funded at $1 million.
Why It Matters / Impact
Stitt’s push for state-controlled elections reflects a broader partisan debate over federal versus state authority. His call for AI regulation aligns with concerns that deep-fakes and targeted misinformation could undermine electoral integrity. The bipartisan hand-over to Governor Moore and the inclusion of first spouses signal an effort to maintain collaborative governance amid a polarized national climate.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I believe that is a state issue. The states should control their own elections. Should we make sure they’re done fairly and U.S. citizens are voting? 100%. I think there’s broad agreement with that,” — Stitt
- “I don’t think we should federalize that. Because then you’ve got a pendulum swing. What about the next guy gets in office and the next guy and the next guy? The system that we have with 50 different states is the right system,” — Stitt
What’s Next
- Governor Stitt is weighing a special session of the Oklahoma legislature to address AI misuse in campaigns.
- The NGA-RAISE US initiative will expand to additional states, with policy recommendations slated for the upcoming winter meeting in Washington, D.C.
- As the NGA transitions to Democratic leadership, the organization plans to continue its focus on election security, AI policy, and civic engagement.
