Outgoing Chair and Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist to Serve on Executive Committee, Joined by Pa. Lt. Gov. Austin Davis and Wi. Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez
Today, the Democratic Lieutenant Governors Association voted to elect Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan as Chair of the DLGA, the highest-ranking elected Native woman in the country and the first Native woman to lead a national party committee. Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis was elected as Vice Chair, and will serve on the Executive Committee along with outgoing Chair and Michigan Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist, and Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez.
“It’s an honor to be elected chair of the Democratic Lieutenant Governors Association ahead of a crucial election year where our work to elect Democratic leaders will be more important than ever,” said DLGA chair LG Peggy Flanagan. “This past year in Minnesota, we showed the country that we can – and must – dream big. With a small majority, we made the sweeping, overdue changes that voters wanted. Now, I’m excited to work with my fellow Lieutenant Governors and voters across the country to deliver on this work nationwide, from protecting access to abortion to creating good-paying jobs. As the first Native woman to serve as a national party committee chair, I am committed to inclusion and helping elect leaders who represent the diversity and strength of our country.”
“I’m proud of the work the DLGA has done during my time as Chair to lead on key issues like public safety and reproductive freedom,” said Outgoing Chair LG Garlin Gilchrist. “Across the country, Lieutenant Governors are speaking out and standing up for hardworking families to lower costs, protect our freedoms, and strengthen our schools. I am thrilled to pass the baton to Peggy Flanagan, whom I know will continue to lead the DLGA to a brighter future and will continue to fight to elect Democrats in these crucial offices.”
“With one of the most important elections ahead of us, I’m excited to continue the DLGA’s work to elect public servants who are committed to keeping our communities safe and creating ladders of opportunity for every American, no matter where they live or what they look like. This year the DLGA will stay laser-focused on electing leaders who advocate for what we believe in – fighting for working-class and middle-class families, addressing the epidemic of gun violence and protecting our freedom to make our own reproductive decisions,” said Vice Chair Austin Davis.
“As a nurse, I ran for office to strengthen access to health care – and I’m proud to lead alongside the DLGA to fight for lower health care costs across the country,” said Executive Committee Member Sara Rodriguez. “We’re all fighting at the state level to lower costs for families, strengthen our workforce, and protect our rights, and together we’re going to keep pushing for progress in 2024.”
The DLGA’s new executive committee will be committed to helping Democrats win in the eleven elections for lieutenant governor occurring in 2024 as well as supporting President Biden’s re-election. The DLGA is the only organization solely focused on electing Democratic lieutenant governors and candidates each year. The DLGA is the most diverse party committee in the nation; 75 percent of Democratic Lieutenant Governors are people of color or women.
About Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan
Peggy Flanagan is Minnesota’s 50th Lieutenant Governor, a member of the White Earth Nation, and currently the country’s highest ranking Native woman elected to executive office. At the center of all her work is making progress for children, working families, communities of color and Indigenous communities, and Minnesotans who have historically been underserved and underrepresented. She has led the Governor’s Office to help secure key legislative wins, including establishing the nation’s first Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives Office, increasing the Minnesota Family Investment Program payments, securing historic investments in affordable housing and child care, and investing in equity in bonding to support community projects led by and for people of color. Previously, Peggy served in the Minnesota House of Representatives, on the Minneapolis Board of Education, and was the executive director of Children’s Defense Fund – Minnesota. Peggy lives in St. Louis Park, Minnesota with her husband, Tom, daughter, Siobhan, and dog, Reuben.
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