Govs. Kevin Stitt and Wes Moore launch bipartisan Center for Political Dignity

At the National Governors Association’s summer meeting in Oklahoma City, Republican Governor Kevin Stitt of Oklahoma and Democratic Governor Wes Moore of Maryland announced the creation of a Center for Dignity in Politics. In a town‑hall session co‑hosted with NBC News, they argued that the extremely low participation in primary elections—about 7 % of voters deciding roughly 87 % of House races—pushes candidates toward partisan extremes. The governors cited data on closed versus open primaries, the 63.4 million voters registered as independent or unaffiliated, and examples such as a recent Pennsylvania primary upset to illustrate the problem.

The new center will provide governors with tools, training and resources aimed at fostering civil discourse, reducing polarization, and encouraging more respectful leadership across state governments.