Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. Austin Davis has been elected chair of the Democratic Lieutenant Governors Association, giving him a more prominent role in his party nationally.
“The next few months that lie ahead for the party will take a lot of work to regain voters’ trust and lay out an agenda that speaks directly to the country,” Mr. Davis said in a statement. “We will continue to deliver results for working Americans and will work as a backstop to the Trump administration’s extreme agenda.”
Mr. Davis, who is 35 and grew up in McKeesport, in early 2023 became the state’s first Black lieutenant governor. Since then, he has presided over the state Senate, chaired the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, and been a public advocate for polices of the administration of Gov. Josh Shapiro.
Mr. Davis lives in Allegheny County with his wife and daughter. Previously, he served two terms as state representatives for the 35th House District.
His election in the national group came about a month after the Nov. 5 election in which Democrats absorbed significant losses.
The association said its leadership will be committed to helping Democrats win in elections in Virginia and New Jersey in 2025. It is the only organization solely focused on electing Democratic lieutenant governors and candidates.
“Our Democratic lieutenant governors and the work we do in our states couldn’t be more critical coming out of this year’s election cycle,” Mr. Davis said.
He will replace outgoing association Chair and Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, who will continue to serve on the organization’s executive committee along with Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton. Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll was elected vice chair of the association.
First Published: December 4, 2024, 7:55 p.m.