Governors group selects Sebelius

BYLINE: STEVE KRASKE, The Kansas City Star

Sebelius

As the new head of the Democratic Governors Association, Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius hopes to "drive a national agenda" by promoting successful legislative initiatives in the states.

"As the incubators of public policy, what we do in Kansas resonates across the country," she said Tuesday from a conference in Arizona.

Sebelius caps her easy re-election win in Kansas last month with her formal election as association chairwoman today in Washington. On Friday, the group's nominating committee nominated Sebelius for chairwoman and West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin III for vice chairman.

Sebelius succeeds New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, who is considering a run for president.

The Democrats picked up six governorships in the November elections and hold a majority of those offices for the first time in a dozen years.

Last week, the Republican Governors Association picked Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue to lead its organization. He succeeds outgoing Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, a likely 2008 presidential candidate.

As a group, the governors usually focus on three main policy areas, Sebelius said: jobs, education and health care. She will add a fourth focal point, energy.

"To declare a willingness to become energy independent while giving states incentives to move research and innovation forward is a great way to approach that kind of initiative.

"Establishing good relations with the new Democratic majorities in Congress will be key."

Her other focus will be electing Democratic governors the next two years. Three seats are up in 2007 and 10 in 2008.

"This organization is the only national organization uniquely focused on electing CEOs across the country," she said.

To reach Steve Kraske, call (816) 234-4312 or send e-mail to skraske@kcstar.com.