Eight newly elected Democratic governors declined invitations from the White House to meet with President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden on Trump's refusal to commit to peaceful transfer of power: 'What country are we in?' Romney: 'Unthinkable and unacceptable' to not commit to peaceful transition of power Two Louisville police officers shot amid Breonna Taylor grand jury protests MORE on Thursday, or were unable to attend due to unforeseen circumstances.

The White House reportedly invited 22 state and U.S. territory governor-elects representing both parties to meet with Trump; at least 13 accepted the invitation.

ADVERTISEMENT

Minnesota Gov.-elect Tim Walz Tim WalzGOP Senate candidate says Trump, Republicans will surprise in Minnesota Presidential race tightens in Minnesota as Trump plows resources into state National Guard activated in Minneapolis after homicide suspect's reported suicide MORE cited being busy organizing his incoming administration in his refusal.

“The governor-elect is in Minnesota building his incoming administration and is unable to attend the meeting at the White House,” Kayla Castaneda, a spokeswoman for Walz, said in a statement on Thursday to the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

Ned Lamont from Connecticut and Steve Sisolak of Nevada also cited a busy transition schedule.

“Governor-elect Lamont is not at the White House today, but plans to meet with President Trump in February at the [National Governors Association] conference,” spokesperson Lacey Rose said. “The governor-elect has roughly eight weeks to stand up an administration that is ready to govern Day 1.”

“If scheduling had worked out differently,” Sisolak spokeswoman Christina Amestoy said, “I would have been more than happy to send the governor-elect there.”

Kansas Gov.-elect Laura Kelly's staff said she is focused on the transition and the state budget.

“Kansas faces many challenges and the Governor-elect’s first priority is to draft a balanced budget and lay the groundwork to rebuild Kansas,” spokeswoman Ashley All said.

And a representative of Colorado Gov.-elect Jared Polis Jared Schutz PolisMore than 1,000 gather at Colorado racetrack to protest governor's coronavirus orders Over 300 LGBT leaders endorse Biden for president : 'The most pro-equality ticket in US history' Colorado GOP lawmaker, Michelle Malkin sue governor over coronavirus orders MORE told The Hill he "is working diligently right now in Colorado to build his cabinet team and prepare policy priorities prior to his inauguration on January 8, 2019."

Representatives for New Mexico's Michelle Lujan Grisham Michelle Lynn Lujan GrishamBiden pick creates furor, underscoring bitterness over Obama immigration policy Buttigieg, former officials added to Biden's transition team No documents? Hoping for legalization? Be wary of Joe Biden MORE and Maine's Janet Mills did not respond to The Hill's inquiry into why those governor-elects were not at the event.

California Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom, whose father died on Wednesday, was also not at the meeting.

Among the Democrats who were in attendance at the White House: Govs.-elect J.B. Pritzker of Illinois, Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, Tony Evers of Wisconsin, Albert Bryan from the Virgin Islands and Lourdes Leon Guerrero from Guam.

Wyoming Gov.-elect Mark Gordon was the only Republican not to attend. An aide said he was overseeing his transition, but was grateful for the invitation.



“Governor-elect Gordon is currently running his transition and overseeing change of administrations,” his spokesperson Kristin Walker told The Hill. “He was honored to be invited to meet with President Trump and fellow governor-elects. He looks forward to working on behalf of Wyoming with President Trump and his Administration on a number of critical issues.”

— This story was updated Dec. 15 at 2:10 p.m.