Stark political divides loom as US governors gather

Asa Hutchinson, Phil Murphy — FILE - Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, R-Ark., left, and New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, D-N.J., speak with reporters outside during a meeting with the National Governors Association in the East Room of the White House on Jan. 31, 2022, in Washington. The National Governors Association is holding its summer meeting in person for the first time since 2019, after meeting virtually because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The three-day meeting, starting Wednesday, July 13, 2022, in Portland, Maine, follows recent high court rulings overturning Roe v. Wade and striking down gun restrictions by New York. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Stark political divides are threatening to overshadow a meeting this week of the nation’s governors.

The National Governors Association on Thursday began its summer meeting in person for the first time since 2019 after meeting virtually because of the coronavirus pandemic. The meeting in Maine follows recent high court rulings on abortion and gun rights. Both rulings have heightened divides among red and blue states.

Leaders say there’s still “common ground”

Leaders of the group say there’s still common ground to be found on other issues. The group’s chair, Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, will hand the reins of the group to Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy of New Jersey.

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