A black tie dinner Sunday followed a bipartisan meeting Saturday whose theme was togetherness when President Biden hosted both Democratic and Republican governors at the White House this weekend.
At Saturday’s meeting, which included White House cabinet members, Republican Gov. Spencer Cox of Utah and Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy of New Jersey spoke about the need to put aside the increasingly acrimonious rhetoric on policy divides to work together for what’s best for the American people.
“It’s about trying to find things that we can work on together, and that’s plentiful,” said Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R-AR) who is wrapping up his yearlong term as Chair of the National Governors Association.
The NGA held its winter meeting in Washington DC this weekend, of which the White House events were just a portion. Topics the governors tackled this weekend included mental health, economic development and revitalization, disaster response and community renewal.
On Sunday, Biden hosted the first black tie dinner at the White House of his Administration. Last year’s black tie dinner was held at Mt. Vernon while 2021’s was held virtually amid the Covid pandemic.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI) sat near Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. Gov. Wes Moore (D-MD) and Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY) sat near Vice President Kamala Harris. Not far away were Gov. Bill Lee (R-TN) and Doug Burgum (R-ND).
Noticeably absent this weekend: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), who is weighing a 2024 run for the White House that would pit him first against former President Trump in the Republican primaries, and then, if he succeeds, potentially against President Biden in the general election.
First Lady Jill Biden held a service project event earlier Saturday for spouses.
