ROUNDUP: Five New Democratic Governors Sworn In
On Monday and Tuesday, five states celebrated the inaugurations of new Democratic governors.
Newly inaugurated Governors Gavin Newsom (CA), Tim Walz (MN) and Jared Polis (CO) succeeded Democratic Governors Jerry Brown (CA), Mark Dayton (MN), and John Hickenlooper (CO).
Governor Polis made history as the first openly gay man inaugurated as governor in American history.
Governors Tony Evers (WI) and Steve Sisolak (NV) replaced Republican governors. Evers defeated Gov. Scott Walker, who was one of two incumbent governors to lose re-election this November. Sisolak became the first Democratic governor of Nevada since 1999.
Here are highlights of their inaugurations:
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz
“We must again find the opportunity in our challenges. Instead of burying our head in our hands when it comes to our changing climate or to providing affordable housing, accessible healthcare and good-paying jobs, we must tackle them head on.
But we can only do this if we come together.
We’ve done it before. One Minnesota is not new.
[…]
Unity is our tradition. Our ancestors – from the original Anishinaabe and Dakota people of this state to the immigrant farmers – carved out a life in the unforgiving cold.”
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers
“But today is bigger than these issues that we all care about. We cannot fix these problems unless people come before politics. We’ve become paralyzed by polarity and we’ve become content with division. We’ve been indifferent to resentment and governing by retribution.
We’ve gotten away from who we are and the values that make Wisconsin great—not Republican or Democratic values, but our Wisconsin values of kindness and respect, empathy and compassion, and integrity and civility.
This is bigger than me; this is about the people of Wisconsin. It’s about setting aside political interests and personal ambitions to work together on solving problems. It’s about putting people first.”
Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak
“Every Nevadan willing to work hard deserves that same chance.
That’s why I’m here—to bring opportunity back within reach and do what I can to repay the state that has given me so much.
Over the past year, I’ve gotten to know just about every corner of Nevada. And my time on the road deepened my love for our state — even if I did sweat through about half a dozen suits.
I’ve talked with miners, business owners, caretakers, bartenders, and everyone in between. In each of their stories, I saw a different way to be Nevada Proud. And I was reminded of something
Abraham Lincoln once said: To paraphrase, “I like to see a person proud of the place he lives. I like to see a person live so that his place will be proud of him.”
A lot of Nevadans are living like that.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom
“California has always helped write America’s future. And we know the decisions we make, would be important at any time. But what we do today is even more consequential, because of what’s happening in our country. People’s lives, freedom, security, the water we drink, the air we breathe – they all hang in the balance. The country is watching us. The world is waiting on us. And the future depends on us. And we will seize the moment.
California is a giant engine of commerce — the most creative and entrepreneurial in the world. We have the resources to ensure a decent standard of living for all. It’s not a question of whether we can do this, but whether we will.
At a time when so much of America is divided, we are united. Our people are big-hearted, fair-minded, and when those qualities are more vital than ever. I’ve seen that again in just the past few weeks.”
Colorado Governor Jared Polis
“We, as a people, have decided that there is no reason to let our differences divide us. No, we have embraced the idea that no two people are exactly alike, and we have decided to celebrate our differences, Colorado for All.
Diversity makes our state healthier and more prosperous. We complement one another, learn from each other, make each other better, and in that work, we respect each other’s rights, sharing a common faith in our abilities and our future while having real conversations about how to make progress.”
