Gov. Ned Lamont Heads to Washington for Governors' Event

White House visit appears unlikely amid tensions between Democratic and Republican state leaders

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont is traveling to Washington, D.C. this week to attend the National Governors Association's (NGA) winter meeting. However, it remains unclear whether Lamont and other Democratic state leaders will make a traditional visit to the White House, as there appears to be some confusion and tension around the invitation process.

Why it matters

The NGA meetings are typically bipartisan affairs, but the current political climate has created uncertainty around whether all governors will be invited to the White House. This highlights the ongoing divisions between Democratic and Republican state leaders, which could impact their ability to collaborate on key issues facing their states.

The details

Lamont said there is "a little confusion" about what the governors will be doing at the White House, and whether all of them will be invited. Recent reports indicate that Trump did not want Maryland's Democratic Governor Wes Moore, who is the vice chairman of the NGA, to come to the White House. This has led some Democratic governors to suggest they may avoid White House events on Friday if all are not officially invited.

  • Lamont will be in Washington, D.C. on Thursday and Friday for the NGA's winter meeting.
  • The NGA meeting is scheduled to include discussions on education, energy, economic growth, and artificial intelligence.

The players

Ned Lamont

The Democratic governor of Connecticut who will be attending the NGA winter meeting in Washington, D.C.

Wes Moore

The Democratic governor of Maryland and vice chairman of the National Governors Association.

Kevin Stitt

The Republican governor of Oklahoma and chairman of the National Governors Association.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States who is reported to not want Maryland's Democratic Governor Wes Moore to attend the White House event.

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What they’re saying

“There's a little confusion about what we're going to be doing over in the White House and whether everybody is invited.”

— Ned Lamont, Governor of Connecticut (nhregister.com)

“The American Dream is not guaranteed. We have to have the courage to fight for it.”

— Kevin Stitt, Governor of Oklahoma and Chairman of the National Governors Association (National Governors Association)

What’s next

It remains to be seen whether Lamont and other Democratic governors will be invited to the White House during the NGA's winter meeting. The invitation process and any potential tensions between state leaders will continue to be closely watched.

The takeaway

The uncertainty around the White House visit for the NGA's winter meeting highlights the ongoing political divisions between Democratic and Republican state leaders. This could impact their ability to collaborate on key issues facing their states, even as they gather to discuss shared priorities like energy, education, and economic growth.