Schweitzer to lead Democratic governors

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WASHINGTON, Dec. 3 (UPI) -- Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer has been elected chairman of the Democratic Governors Association, succeeding West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin, officials said.

Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley was elected vice chairman, a statement said Wednesday.

"The DGA has never been in a stronger position, and Brian Schweitzer is a dynamic leader who will take the organization to the next level," Manchin said. "Brian has made inroads in traditionally conservative-leaning areas because he's honest, practical, and knows how to get results."

Schweitzer said among his top policy goals as DGA chairman are to offer Washington economic solutions that have been successful at the state level and to help restore the state-federal partnership.

"To get the economy moving in the right direction, the states and the federal government must have a better relationship than we had under the Bush administration," Schweitzer said. "President-elect (Barack) Obama and the governors are ready to work together in order to deliver the change Americans are so clearly demanding."