Trump names Ducey to advisory group

Governors council deals with security, defense

President Donald Trump has appointed Gov. Doug Ducey to the national Council of Governors, a bipartisan group that assists the White House with matters of homeland security and national defense.

Ducey will serve a two-year term, which began with a Friday meeting to address cyber-security issues, disaster preparedness, the federal budget, defense spending and the military.

“Arizona will now have a seat at the table on some of the most important discussions affecting our state and nation,” Ducey said in a statement. “Arizona is the home of multiple major military installations. Protecting our national defense infrastructure, as well as public safety and border security, are top priorities.”

Ducey will serve alongside:

❚ Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson.

❚ Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont.

❚ Hawaii Gov. David Ige.

❚ Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

❚ Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.

❚ Missouri Gov. Michael Parson.

❚ Montana Gov. Steve Bullock.

❚ Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts. ❚ Ohio Governor Mike DeWine.

❚ Departments of Defense, Homeland Security secretaries.

❚ Coast Guard commandant.

❚ National Guard bureau chief.

❚ Counter-terrorism advisers.

“As the only southwestern border governor on the Council, I look forward to bringing Arizona’s perspective to the discussion to help advance policies that will make our communities safer and our border more secure,” Ducey said.