Three recent chairman of the NGA: Gov. Jared Polis, D-Colo.; Gov. Spencer Cox, R-Utah; and the current chairman, Gov. Kevin Stitt, R-Okla. (David Zalubowski/AP Photo; Brandon Bell/Getty Images; Rick Bowmer/AP Photo)
He explained that while politicians in Congress can get mired in political games – as evidenced by the government shutdown – governors are under tremendous pressure to get things done. The pressure to perform often helps them to focus on solutions rather than politics.
"Executives have to produce, and you have to make rapid decisions, because if you don't, things just don't get done."
According to McBride, the NGA has thrived in some of the most difficult circumstances. He said that the pandemic was a real turning point for bringing governors of both parties to the table to discuss difficult problems. During that time, the NGA convened governors weekly to coordinate strategy, share data, and engage directly with federal agencies.
"I think we did something like 67 weeks of those calls. And we get 40 to 45 governors on those calls. And looking back on it, we covered everything. You know, it started with what is the pandemic? You know what caused this virus? Then we talked about vaccines and getting vaccines and testing equipment and supplies and just all the challenges that the governors were facing," he said. "It really brought the group very close together. And it wasn't just the weekly calls we were having, because then they started calling each other individually and trading information. So, it was a huge resource for the governors."
INCOMING NGA CHAIR 'DISAPPOINTED' IN DEM GOVERNORS 'PLAYING POLITICS' IN BIPARTISAN GROUP
Charlie Kirk speaks at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10, 2025, in Orem, Utah, prior to his assassination. (Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune/Getty Images)
He likened the NGA’s mission to an initiative launched by Cox when he was chair called "Disagree Better." He shared that he believes this initiative helped prepare Cox to respond so well to the shocking assassination of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University.
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"Disagree Better was modeled on the idea that we can disagree with each other, but we don't have to hate each other," he said. "Governor Cox did a tremendous job on that, and I have to say, I think it really helped prepare him for the situation he encountered in Utah with the recent assassination of Charlie Kirk."
"We have seen Governor Cox step up to the moment and talk about this issue of how we can disagree with each other, but we don't have to resort to violence," he said. "Governors can take a lead on that, and I think they have."
Peter Pinedo is a politics writer for Fox News Digital.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/exclusive-outgoing-nga-chief-lifts-curtain-how-governors-kept-us-unified-during-chaos