Division, Trust, and the Road Forward

After a stirring delivery of the national anthem, NGA CEO Brandon Tatum welcomed Governors to the 2026 Winter Meeting by invoking Theodore Roosevelt's famous "Man in the Arena" quote to frame the NGA's role as a partner to Governors as they work every day for the American people. NGA Chair Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt then introduced attendees to his Chair's initiative, "Reigniting the American Dream," emphasizing that the core American values of hard work, opportunity and earned success remain alive on the country's 250th anniversary - and that Governors from both parties are united in making the dream accessible to all their residents. NGA Vice Chair Maryland Governor Wes Moore echoed those themes and highlighted technology and innovation as key drivers of the American Dream, stressing the importance of ensuring those advances benefit everyone.

Governor Stitt then turned the floor over to polling expert Dr. Frank Luntz. Luntz delivered a sobering yet hopeful presentation, sharing fresh polling data on the rather sorry state of American unity, and what Governors can do about it.

Luntz opened by noting a striking paradox: by most objective measures, Americans are healthier, wealthier and have more opportunities than ever before, yet public sentiment is more negative than ever. Many Americans believe there is more that divides the country than unites it and are often unwilling to share their true opinions out of fear. Partisan identity, Luntz argued, has become the single greatest driver of this divide, cutting across race, geography and income.

The good news? Governors are uniquely positioned to help. While trust in the federal government is low, state and local governments enjoy the confidence of most Americans. Luntz urged Governors to lean into this advantage by focusing on results over rhetoric, accountability over oversight and leading with respect. It wouldn't be a Luntz presentation without notes on language, and he cautioned against terms like "pragmatic," "bipartisan," "inclusion"" and "diversity," noting they have become either polarizing or ineffective. Instead, he recommended centering messages around freedom, celebration and a "united United States."

The session also featured West Point cadets who offered powerful reflections on service and national identity, drawing a standing ovation from the room. Delaware Governor Matt Meyer, Utah Governor Spencer Cox, and Governor Stitt joined Dr. Luntz on stage to respond to the data with candid observations about the structural challenges of a partisan primary system, the power of service to break down tribal identity and the importance of authentic leadership that prioritizes the next generation over the next election.

The session closed with a call to action: Governors, more than any other elected officials, have the credibility and the trust to model what it looks like to put country before party. And Governors are defined by their inclination to action.