In 2020, two candidates for governor of Utah did something unusual. Republican Spencer Cox and his Democratic opponent Chris Peterson filmed an ad together. They did not agree on policy, but they promised to respect each other and the result. The ad went viral.
In 2023, Cox became chair of the National Governors Association (NGA), a bipartisan group of all US governors. He turned that idea into a national campaign called Disagree Better.
What Disagree Better means
Cox does not ask people to stop disagreeing. He says healthy conflict is part of democracy. The goal is to argue the right way: be curious, listen, and attack ideas instead of people. His vice chair at the NGA, Democratic Colorado Governor Jared Polis, backed the initiative from the start.
Governors in pairs
More than 20 governors recorded short videos with a member of the other party, often another governor or a local mayor. The NGA also held events in New Hampshire, Colorado, Tennessee and Utah, and universities created Disagree Better courses.
Did it work?
An independent study by Stanford sociologist Robb Willer tested the ads with voters. It found that they reduced partisan hostility and made viewers more open to talking with people from the other party. The governors who appeared in the videos were also seen more favourably, not less. Cooperation did not hurt them politically.
After the chairmanship
Cox’s year as NGA chair ended in July 2024, but he said the work would continue, including through a nonprofit. Polis said Disagree Better would become a permanent part of how governors lead.
Try it yourself
- Before you reply in a discussion, ask one honest question about the other person’s view.
- Describe their argument in a way they would agree with.
- Criticise the policy, never the person.
- Find one thing you both want, such as safe schools or affordable housing, and start there.
