New Hampshire Gov. Kelly Ayotte’s first-ever Republican Governors Association meeting began with an unexpected surprise: A shoutout from the President of the United States.
President Donald Trump was a late addition to the RGA’s agenda, and he spent about 45 minutes recapping what he viewed as his and his party’s recent successes, as well as a laundry list of his favorite issues. And he began by introducing the eight new GOP governors who’ve taken office since November.
Among them, Ayotte.
While Republicans flipped the White House and U.S. Senate from blue to red, the partisan balance in governorships didn’t change in 2024. Two of the new governors were actually replacements for former Govs. Doug Burgum (N.D.) and Kristi Noem (S.D.), who received cabinet appointments.
While Trump trod familiar rhetorical territory — declaring his love for the word “tariff” and pledging to “unleash” America’s domestic energy producers — he did have a specific message for the governors, who are gathered in Washington for two days of meetings.
“The Republican Party is now known as the party of common sense,” Trump said, and he urged the governors to use that phrase when they speak to voters. “We’re conservative, we’re a lot of things — but the most important thing is we have to use common sense.”
And he also gave the chief executives part of the credit for the GOP’s current ascendancy.
“Thanks in part to the hard work of the people in this room, we’re forging a new political majority that is shattering and replacing Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal coalition, which dominated American politics for nearly 100 years.
“We are a much bigger, much more powerful party,” Trump added. “Now is the time for us all to press forward, think big, be bold, and deliver the once-in-a-lifetime reforms our citizens need and really deserve.”
“I look forward to working with each and every one of you as we complete the mission of saving America.”
Still, it was a Donald Trump speech, and much of it was dedicated to celebrating what he believes are his victories in his first month back in the White House.
“In our last four weeks, our new administration has accomplished more than most administrations do in four years,” Trump told the crowd. “We’re given credit for having the best four weeks that anybody’s ever had as an opening,” Trump added. “A few hundred more weeks like this, and we’re going to be in great shape.”
He also touted the fact that in November, “for the first time in history, all 50 states shifted toward the Republicans. That’s never happened before.”
Trump also took a victory lap on border security. During the peak of border crossings under the Biden administration, there were up to 12,000 migrant encounters in a single day. On February 17, there were just 218 crossings across the entire southwestern border.
A sign of how the center of the GOP has shifted away from the more economic-libertarian wing to the Trump-inspired populists was the introduction Trump received from RGA president — and one-time Trump critic — Gov. Brian Kemp (R-Ga.)
“Mr. President. Republican governors aren’t tired of winning. And we’re ready to stand shoulder to shoulder with your administration to ensure that America’s best days are ahead,” said Kemp, who is widely viewed as a potential 2028 candidate for president.
And the RGA tweeted a statement after the speech.
“Thank you, President Trump, for bringing America back and delivering big results! Republican governors are grateful to be working by your side to undo the disaster of the past four years and usher in America’s golden age!”
The RGA winter meeting coincides with the National Governors Association gathering, which also brings Democratic governors to D,C. As one of just two GOP governors in the Northeast (Vermont’s Phil Scott is the other), Ayotte is a person of political interest among the 27 governors.
“President Trump has had a historic first month in office, and it was great to hear from him tonight,” Ayotte told NHJournal after the speech. “I appreciate the president’s quick action to secure our borders and keep America safe and strong.”
