The Republican Governors Association announced on Tuesday that it elected Gov. Greg Gianforte (MT) to succeed Gov. Brian Kemp (GA) as the organization’s next chairman.
Gianforte, who’s assuming his position immediately to serve a one-year term, expressed gratitude at the news.
“I want to thank Governor Kemp for his leadership of RGA this past year and I’m grateful to my fellow Republican governors for the trust they’ve placed in me as we enter the 2026 election cycle. The stakes could not be higher,” he said in a statement.
Gianforte won the election for RGA chairman at the group’s annual conference, running from Monday to Wednesday in San Antonio. He previously served as vice chairman, alongside Kemp in his chairman role.
“States with Republican governors are thriving, with our citizens seeing lower costs, safer streets, and a higher quality of life,” the Montana governor added. “That stands in stark contrast to the many failing states led by Democrats, places Americans are fleeing. I look forward to working with President [Donald] Trump and my colleagues to tell our story and elect more conservative leaders all across the country.”
Govs. Tate Reeves (R-MS) and Bill Lee (R-TN) join Gianforte to serve as vice chairman and policy chairman, respectively. All three officials will serve until the final weeks of 2026.
The appointments come as the Republican Party gears up for next year’s midterm elections following a devastating blow in the off-year elections two weeks ago.
Following Trump’s lead, Republicans are expected to prioritize addressing voters’ concerns about the increased cost of living nationwide. Democrats performed extraordinarily well on the affordability issue this year, especially in Virginia and New Jersey, where the Democratic gubernatorial candidates won.
In New York City, Zohran Mamdani swept the mayoral election, in part, due to his focus on affordability. His platform involves unconventional ideas, such as government-run grocery stores and free public transit, as well as a plan to create more affordable housing and halt annual rent increases for the city’s estimated 2.5 million rent-stabilized apartments.
“As the Democrat Party sprints toward socialism,” Reeves said in a veiled reference to Mamdani and other socialists, “it’s never been more important for states to elect Republican governors. America is at a crossroads, and Republican governors are the first line of defense from the radical Left’s radical policies.”
“We’re focusing on the things that matter — like creating high-paying jobs, investing in American families, and keeping neighborhoods in our states safe,” he continued. “Alongside Governor Gianforte, Governor Lee, and President Trump, we’ll continue to elect more Republican governors and expand the American Dream.”
TRUMP TAKES AFFORDABILITY MESSAGE TO MCDONALD’S SUMMIT: ‘PRICES ARE COMING DOWN’
Mamdani is expected to meet with Trump soon to discuss New York City’s affordability crisis. Trump said he’s open to the idea in spite of his constant attacks against the mayor-elect.
The issue also concerns the president, who talked about his affordability message and the Republican Party’s tax and spending bill at the McDonald’s Impact Summit in Washington, D.C., on Monday night.