2018 Governor's State of the State speeches: on Principles & Values


John Kasich: Respect for secular humanists

The humanists in our country are the ones who have charted a course based on reason--human reason. And they wake up every day with a goal. Their goal is to improve the world. Their goal is to make the world a better place. But these secular humanists follow that code, and they do great. And many of my friends are secular humanists, and I respect them for it. But as for me, and maybe for some of us, we need to go deeper. We need to have a more permanent compass.
Source: 2018 Ohio State of the State address Mar 7, 2018

Phil Murphy: Reject Pres. Trump's dark belief of an America in decline

We will resist every attempt to define who is, and who is not, a real American, to delegitimize our LGBTQ brothers and sisters, or to divide us based on how we worship. And we must reject President Trump's dark belief of an America in decline and in carnage.

Let there be no doubt: ours is an imperfect, but great, nation. Our exceptionalism derives from our values, articulated as forcefully in our Constitution as in the words written by Emma Lazarus at the base of the Statue of Liberty.

The current and unrelenting assault on our values will not stand, and we will combat it with every available means. We did not ask for this fight, but it is one that we must--and we will -- take on.

Source: 2018 New Jersey Inauguration/State of the State speech Jan 16, 2018

Ralph Northam: Do good; be transparent; look for better ways

The benefits of opportunity and prosperity have eluded too many of our neighbors for too long. As Governor, I am committed to working with you to turn that around. I hope you will join me in applying this test to the decisions we make:
Source: 2018 State of the State speech to Virginia legislature Jan 16, 2018

Scott Walker: Pray for Kentucky, that we will be blessed

I want you to know that I pray for you. I pray earnestly for you. I pray individually for you. I pray for you as a group. I pray for the people of Kentucky. I pray for the Commonwealth that we will be blessed, that we will be preserved from so much that has potential to harm us. I'm a person who believes in the power of prayer, and I want each and every one of you to know that I pray for you.
Source: 2018 Kentucky State of the State address Jan 16, 2018

Kay Ivey: Guide ship of state through storm of governor's resignation

Most governors have 3 months to prepare. I had three hours. After being sworn in as governor on April 10, 2017 [when Gov. Bentley abruptly resigned in scandal], I promised the people of Alabama there would be no disruption in the ongoing functions of the state. That's a promise kept.

My immediate pledge was to steady the ship of state, and navigate Alabama through the storm we found ourselves in. That, too, is a promise kept.

I was sworn in exactly half way through a session that I began as president of the Senate. As governor, I signed 333 bills and resolutions into law. Many bills I signed as governor also bore my signature from my time as president of the Senate. The smooth transition of government, brought me full circle--from the legislative to the executive. I support having a lieutenant governor who presides over the Senate. Our current order of succession serves the state well. I know this firsthand, having experienced it.

Source: 2018 State of the State speech to Alabama legislature Jan 9, 2018

Kay Ivey: Listen, Learn, Help and Lead tour, to restore confidence

[After replacing half the Cabinet members after Gov. Bentley's resignation], my second major effort was to connect with and hear directly from Alabamians, so that together we would restore confidence in state government. An effective leader does four things: listen, learn, help, and lead. To help and lead the people of Alabama, it was essential that I first listen to and learn from the people of Alabama.

Throughout July, August and September, I embarked on my Listen, Learn, Help and Lead tour where I visited communities across the state. I spent an entire day in these communities, meeting with local leaders and visiting their businesses and schools. I wanted to learn about their successes and their challenges. I wanted to hear from everyday people, not just from the politicians and lobbyists in Montgomery.

These meetings were beneficial and well received. People were excited about reconnecting with their governor.

Source: 2018 State of the State speech to Alabama legislature Jan 9, 2018

  • The above quotations are from 2018 Governor's State of the State speeches.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Principles & Values.
  • Click here for other issues (main summary page).
  • Click here for more quotes by Kay Ivey on Principles & Values.
  • Click here for more quotes by Ralph Northam on Principles & Values.
Candidates and political leaders on Principles & Values:

Retired Senate as of Jan. 2015:
GA:Chambliss(R)
IA:Harkin(D)
MI:Levin(D)
MT:Baucus(D)
NE:Johanns(R)
OK:Coburn(R)
SD:Johnson(D)
WV:Rockefeller(D)

Resigned from 113th House:
AL-1:Jo Bonner(R)
FL-19:Trey Radel(R)
LA-5:Rod Alexander(R)
MA-5:Ed Markey(D)
MO-9:Jo Ann Emerson(R)
NC-12:Melvin Watt(D)
SC-1:Tim Scott(R) 		Retired House to run for Senate or Governor:
AR-4:Tom Cotton(R)
GA-1:Jack Kingston(R)
GA-10:Paul Broun(R)
GA-11:Phil Gingrey(R)
HI-1:Colleen Hanabusa(D)
IA-1:Bruce Braley(D)
LA-6:Bill Cassidy(R)
ME-2:Mike Michaud(D)
MI-14:Gary Peters(D)
MT-0:Steve Daines(R)
OK-5:James Lankford(R)
PA-13:Allyson Schwartz(D)
TX-36:Steve Stockman(R)
WV-2:Shelley Capito(R) 		Retired House as of Jan. 2015:
AL-6:Spencer Bachus(R)
AR-2:Tim Griffin(R)
CA-11:George Miller(D)
CA-25:Howard McKeon(R)
CA-33:Henry Waxman(D)
CA-45:John Campbell(R)
IA-3:Tom Latham(R)
MN-6:Michele Bachmann(R)
NC-6:Howard Coble(R)
NC-7:Mike McIntyre(D)
NJ-3:Jon Runyan(R)
NY-4:Carolyn McCarthy(D)
NY-21:Bill Owens(D)
PA-6:Jim Gerlach(R)
UT-4:Jim Matheson(D)
VA-8:Jim Moran(D)
VA-10:Frank Wolf(R)
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Page last updated: Apr 07, 2019