Kansas Governor Laura Kelly talks about decision to leave National Governors Association

TOPEKA (KSNT) — Kansas Governor Laura Kelly is joining another prominent Democrat in stepping away from the bipartisan National Governors Association (NGA).

Kelly is currently the Chair of the Democratic Governors Association. She told 27 News that she, alongside Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, are leaving the organization over disappointment with the group’s failure to push back against the administration of President Donald Trump.

Kelly said Kansas is not benefitting enough from the NGA for her to remain a member.

“I just felt like Kansas was not getting a return on investment, and we will keep our eyes on it,” Kelly said. “The NGA does some very good things particularly in the area of training for governor’s staff, but there also needs to be a state rights advocate and I think they’ve sort of fallen down on that role.”

Kelly said she will stop paying her NGA dues at the end of July. Additionally, she said she’s open to rejoining the group once it focuses more on advocating for states.

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