Democratic lieutenant governors across the country are addressing critical issues facing their states, from voting rights and food security, to education and disaster recovery efforts.
Over the past two weeks, Washington Lt. Governor Danny Heck highlighted the economic impacts of Trump’s tariffs, while Kentucky Lt. Governor Jacqueline Coleman pushed back against the cuts to the Department of Education and Secretary of State Tobias Read sues the Trump administration to defend Oregon’s vote-by-mail program.
See more below about how Democratic lieutenant governors are leading across the country:
WASHINGTON
The Spokesman Review: ‘We are in a trade war’: Washington leaders, business sectors express concern over Trump’s new tariffs
‘’We are the most trade-driven state economy of all 50 states,’ Lt. Gov. Denny Heck told The Spokesman-Review Wednesday. ‘There’s no way to have this material of an increase in tariffs without it damaging our state’s economy, and in fact, disproportionately, because we are more trade-driven than the other 49 states.’
President Donald Trump on Wednesday unveiled long-awaited tariffs on countries throughout the world ranging from 10% to 49%, creating economic instability and potentially starting trade wars with many of the country’s largest trading partners.
KENTUCKY
The Hill: Kentucky Lt. Gov. says she is concerned with Education Department disassembly
Kentucky Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman (D) said Sunday that she is concerned about the Department of Education’s disassembly in the wake of President Trump signing an executive order seeking to facilitate its elimination.
“When I hear folks from Washington, they sound really out of touch with what’s going on in the state and certainly in our classrooms,” Coleman told NewsNation’s Chris Stirewalt on “The Hill Sunday.” “And I can say that because I went from being a high school teacher, a basketball coach and an assistant principal to being Kentucky’s lieutenant governor.”
PMG-KY1.com: Lt. Governor Coleman speaks at Chamber luncheon
Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky Jacqueline Coleman was the guest speaker at the Spencer County-Taylorsville Chamber of Commerce’s Nibbles & Knowledge luncheon on March 20.
Coleman shared that story, to showcase that she will continue to work hard with the governor to make sure that the youth of Kentucky have a support system that can help them grow as both students and people.
“The future of our workforce, and a strong economy, takes investing in the young people that help all communities flourish,” said Coleman.
“We need to put kids first, support them, and provide resources that give students opportunities to have real-world experiences, just like the Spencer County High School’s Culinary Students that prepared and served today’s food,” said Coleman.
OREGON
KOIN: Trump executive order will make Oregon elections ‘less safe,’ Secretary of State says
After President Trump signed an executive order on Tuesday that would reshape elections, the Oregon secretary of state is warning those policies would make Oregon elections “less safe.”
The executive order has several provisions, including requirements for voters to show proof of U.S. citizenship before they can register for federal elections and would only count mail-in or absentee ballots that are received by Election Day – while Oregon accepts ballots up to one week after Election Day as long as ballots are postmarked by Election Day.
However, Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read says policies outlined in the order threaten Oregon elections.
“I’m disappointed,” Read told KOIN 6 News in an interview on Wednesday. “The bottom line is that this is an executive order that will have the effect of making it harder for Oregon citizens to vote and make our elections less secure and less safe. It’s the fundamental right of every American to hold their politicians accountable at the ballot box and this is an executive order that moves us away from that. I also don’t think it’s legal.”
The Register-Guard: Oregon sues to defend vote-by-mail against Trump’s executive order
“Oregon citizens have the right to hold their politicians accountable at the ballot box. It is our responsibility as a state to defend that right and run secure, fair elections,’ said Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read. ‘The Trump Administration does not have the power to take away Oregonians’ rights to vote and the funding we need to run secure elections.’
MASSACHUSSETTS
The New Bedford Light: Rail returns to New Bedford
‘Today is more than just your typical ribbon-cutting ceremony,’ Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll said to a packed house. ‘This is a historic milestone for the South Coast.’ For the first time in 67 years, New Bedford has a passenger rail connection to Boston. This project has faced constant stops and starts since it was first promised in the early 1990s.
PENNSYLVANIA
Paternal Podcast: #128 Austin Davis: A Young Father Forges the Future of Pennsylvania Politics
Austin Davis was just a teenager when the trajectory of his life changed forever. A fatal shooting rattled his neighborhood in the working class Pennsylvania town of McKeesport, and spurred him to attend a city council meeting of all white officials who were skeptical of the concerned Black teenager raising his voice. “ The people closest to the pain should be closest to the power,” Davis says. “ I had a stake in that community just as much as they did as somebody who lived there and grew up there, and I wanted to make it a better place.”
Franklin County Free Press: Pennsylvania Leaders Rally to Counteract USDA Funding Cuts to Food Assistance Programs
Lt. Governor Davis emphasized the administration’s commitment to supporting agriculture and food security. “Investing in Pennsylvania farmers and helping them feed people is an investment in our future,” he stated. “These are proven programs that benefit both farmers and those in need of fresh, healthy food.”
The abrupt funding cancellation by the USDA last month would have provided $13 million over three years for state food banks to purchase produce from 189 local farms. This cut could result in a loss of over 2.96 million pounds of food and nearly 2.5 million meals across three food banks in the Pittsburgh area.
WPXI: Pittsburgh food bank seeing increase in need as Gov. Shapiro appeals federal funding cut
Lt. Governor Austin Davis led a roundtable discussion on Wednesday at the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank to discuss food insecurity in the state, as well as the funding appeal. State and local leaders say that without those funds, the farmers as well as food pantries would be in trouble.
WKBN 27: Pennsylvania investing in help for sexual assault survivors and crime victims
PITTSBURGH, Pa. (WKBN) – Pennsylvania’s Lt. Governor Austin Davis was in Pittsburgh Friday, discussing the Shapiro administration’s efforts to support sexual assault survivors and victims of crime.
“No crime victim should have to worry about how they’ll afford medical bills to recover. No family should have to struggle with funeral expenses for a loved one who they lost to violence and no sexual assault survivor should have to worry about covering the costs of counseling to overcome the trauma they’ve endured,” Davis said.
KANSAS
KSNW: Kansas grants to turn unused upper floors into housing
‘Last year’s initial round of ROOMS funding resulted in 34 new housing units across the state and nearly $6 million in total investment,’ Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said in a news release. ‘Another year of funding allows us to continue breathing life into communities across this state and growing economic opportunities for generations to come.’ Upper-floor housing has become a critical piece of the solution to Kansas’ housing challenges, while also strengthening the economic health and identity of downtown areas.
MICHIGAN
The Alpena News: Gilchrist surveys ice storm damage
Michigan Lt Governor Garlin Gilchrist visited Alpena today to review the damage from the powerful ice storm that has crippled the area since last weekend. Gilchrist made a stop at the MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena and met with hospital officials to receive updates on patient care and operations.
Petoskey News-Review: Lt. Gov. Gilchrist visits storm-damaged Petoskey, promises state’s focus on relief
In the wake of a historic ice storm that left thousands across Northern Michigan without power, heat and access to basic supplies, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II arrived in Petoskey on Friday to assess the damage firsthand and assure residents that the state’s full resources are being mobilized for relief.
ILLINOIS
Journal Gazette/Times-Courier: Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton stresses progressive record amid Senate speculation
SPRINGFIELD — Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton has completed five marathons and is a seven-time triathlete. But when she first took up distance running at age 40, she couldn’t even run a mile.
‘It strikes me that Juliana Stratton has used the lieutenant governor position very effectively,’ said John Shaw, director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
Rolling Out: Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton drives menopause initiative
Illinois Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton is spearheading a push for menopause awareness, healthcare access, and supportive policies advancing women’s health advocacy. The state’s groundbreaking initiative was highlighted at the University of Illinois Chicago’s March 13, 2025 event, “The Menopause Imperative: Advancing Care, Research, and Policy,” where Lt. Governor Stratton was joined by renowned actress and wellness advocate Halle Berry.
The event at UIC was a vital platform for Lt. Governor Stratton and Berry, alongside healthcare experts and policy advocates, to emphasize the importance of addressing longstanding gaps in menopause care and research. During her address, Stratton underscored Illinois’ ambition to become a national leader in menopause healthcare, workforce protections, and medical research funding.
“Women’s health is a public health priority—and menopause advocacy is long overdue,” stated Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton. “In a time when access to care and medical research are under attack, we cannot afford to let women’s health needs be ignored. Illinois is leading the way in ensuring that menopause is recognized, researched, and addressed through policy. We are not just having the conversation—we are taking action to close the gaps in care, workplace protections, and medical research.”
NORTH CAROLINA
Carolina Public Press: ‘I want to build bridges’: Lt. Gov. Rachel Hunt on being a unifier, leader and daughter of a Democratic icon
‘She has remained dedicated to education and public service throughout her life. … She also served in North Carolina’s House of Representatives. …’ Hames gazed toward the crystal-clear sky as she tried to remember factoids about Lt. Gov. Rachel Hunt.
Hunt, like her father who served as North Carolina’s governor for a record 16 years, elevated her political standing by winning the lieutenant governorship. But being second-in-command to the state’s highest office doesn’t come with the sort of power that the title implies.
Historically, politicians have treated the position as a launching pad for higher ambitions — but with mixed success. It would surprise nobody if Hunt were to one day continue that tradition. For now, she said she’s committed to doing her job well and restoring normalcy to the office most recently occupied by one of the state’s most notorious politicians.
HAWAI`I
Hawaiʻi Public Radio: Hawaiʻi education officials face federal cuts to school food programs
A team from Hawaiʻi led by Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke is in Washington, D.C., this week to meet with USDA officials as part of a policy summit. Luke is there to argue Hawaiʻi’s case as a unique island state with a centralized, statewide education department — in hopes of reducing the impact.
Maui Now: Hawaiʻi leaders push agricultural priorities in Washington, D.C.
The delegation, led by Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke, met with newly appointed US Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins and officials from multiple agencies within the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). The summit focused on supporting Hawaiʻi’s agricultural industry, strengthening food security and expanding federal partnerships.
‘We need to continuously strengthen local food production and support our agriculture community,’ Luke said. ‘Identifying key opportunities for collaboration with the USDA is crucial to ensure Hawaiʻi’s agricultural industry has the necessary resources to thrive.’
Hawaii Business Magazine ‘Internet for All’: Inside the Rapid Expansion of Hawai‘i’s Broadband Infrastructure
In 2018, as transpacific cables increasingly connected Asia directly to the U.S. mainland – bypassing Hawai’i – Sylvia Luke, then chair of the state House Finance Committee, says she became concerned the state might be left behind. Then the pandemic expanded everyone’s dependence on reliable connectivity for online learning, remote work, telehealth and much more.
“Because we are working very closely with the federal government, everything we do has to have a plan and execution laid out,” Luke says. With different pockets of funding involving different entities, “there has to be statewide coordination on how we can maximize federal funds, share information and minimize or anticipate areas where there might be duplication.”
RHODE ISLAND
Rhode Island PBS: How Can Rhode Island Prevent an Increase in Food Deserts?
Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos is supporting legislation that she says would help eliminate food deserts in Rhode Island. One proposal would ban grocery stores from using restrictive real estate covenants that keep fresh produce out of local communities.
