Democratic governors meet with Biden after debate

Democratic governors are scheduled to meet with President Joe Biden on Wednesday evening.

The meeting comes about a week after President Biden debated Republican nominee and former President Donald Trump in a performance that raised concerns, USA TODAY reported. Some governors will attend the session with the president in person, others virtually.

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham attends meeting with Biden

The White House confirmed Wednesday afternoon that Lujan Grisham would join the call virtually.

THE Sun-News I requested confirmation directly from the governor’s office but have not received a response.

The meeting was scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. ET.

Grisham is among several other Western governors who will participate, including Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek.

The meeting follows Monday’s conference call with governors and President Biden.

USA TODAY reported that Wednesday’s meeting follows a conference call hosted by Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, chairman of the Democratic Governors Association, with his peers to discuss Biden’s performance in the debate.

During the call, they discussed the possibility of having a conversation with Biden, the report said.

“Democratic governors are among the most proactive and vocal supporters of the president and vice president because they have seen how the Biden-Harris administration’s accomplishments directly benefit their residents,” a national Democratic source said in a statement to USA TODAY. “The Biden/Harris team is in constant communication with the governors and their teams, including about yesterday’s meeting.”

Among those on the call was New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy.

Attending Wednesday’s meeting in person were: Gov. John Carney, Gov. Tim Walz, Gov. Kathy Hochul, Gov. Wes Moore, Gov. Gavin Newsom, Gov. JB Pritzker, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Gov. Maura Healey, Gov. Andy Beshear and Gov. Dan McKee.

Lujan Grisham supports Biden’s policies

Lujan Grisham has expressed support for Biden’s policies and agenda on the economy, women’s health and borders.

In August 2023, Lujan Grisham spoke at a conference on Biden’s economic agenda, saying she was grateful for the investment in clean energy, industry and manufacturing jobs, and federal investment in New Mexico’s economy.

“This is the kind of leadership we’ve always deserved,” Lujan Grisham said of Biden.

“You are creating the opportunity that secures the future that we have been talking about for New Mexicans for decades and we here in New Mexico recognize that and we thank you, Mr. President and Vice President Harris, for those opportunities and for believing in the America that has always been there but needed a federal leader, a courageous partner, so that the private sector could see what we see in our great state.”

In an interview with CNN in May, Lujan Grisham explained how her concerns about the border align with Biden’s.

“I’m not disappointed. I’m frustrated and I think he (Biden) is incredibly frustrated too,” Lujan Grisham said.

USA Today’s Savannah Kuchar, David Jacksont, Jason Alatidd, Ed Forbes and Joey Garrison contributed to this report.