Gov. Kotek to join Democratic women governor’s panel with Julia Louis-Dreyfus

PORTLAND, Ore. ( KOIN ) – Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek will join a panel with other Democratic women governors hosted by award-winning actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus, the Democratic Governor’s Association announced Tuesday.

The panel, as first reported by The Hollywood Reporter , is set to take place Aug. 21, during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

In addition to Gov. Kotek, the country’s seven other Democratic women governors include Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs, Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, Maine Gov. Janet Mills, Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul.

In their announcement, DGA highlighted several of the governors’ accomplishments, including Kotek’s efforts to address Oregon’s housing crisis, citing the governor’s interview with Vox .

According to DGA, the panel will discuss the essential leadership of Democratic women governors, this historic class of women governors, and the DGA Women Governors Fund, which helps elect Democratic women governors.

“I’m honored to host this conversation with America’s Democratic women governors while our party comes together to celebrate in Chicago,” Louis-Dreyfus said in a statement “Throughout their time in office, Democratic women governors have made history, changed the conversation surrounding women in executive roles, and gotten big things done for the good people of their states. They’ve shattered marble ceilings and demonstrated excellent leadership. Their voices are essential. I’m looking forward to our conversation and the opportunity to shine the spotlight on these accomplished leaders.”

“We’re thrilled to participate in this panel with Julia Louis-Dreyfus and to discuss the ways we as America’s Democratic women governors are delivering as executives of our states,” said DGA Chair Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly. “From education funding to access to health care to reproductive freedom and everything in between, who your governor is has never mattered more. By focusing on the issues that matter most to the families in our states – and delivering – Democratic women governors are leading the way and changing the political landscape across the country. We look forward to this conversation during the Convention and to highlighting our successes in office.”

DGA Women Governors Fund Chair Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey added, “Julia Louis-Dreyfus brings the same passion and intensity that drives her successful career on-screen to her projects off of it, including her decades of work as an advocate and activist fighting to protect abortion rights, voting rights and democracy, and fighting to combat climate change.”

“We share a mutual goal of supporting and electing more female candidates to all levels of government – including for governor, Congress, and, of course, for President – but we know all too well that female candidates face more obstacles to higher office than their male counterparts. As Democratic women governors, we have changed what it means – and looks like – to be a state executive. We look forward to this crucial conversation with Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and to continue adding more Democratic women governors to our ranks,” Healey furthered.

KOIN 6 News reached out to Gov. Kotek for comment. This story will be updated if we receive a response.

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