Welcome to the Democratic Governors Association’s Friday newsletter, the Weekender.
Let’s get started.
Kentucky: A new poll from Morning Consult shows Gov. Andy Beshear kicking off the election year with strong support from Kentuckians across party lines. The poll shows the governor’s overall approval rating at 60%, making him one of the nation’s most popular governors, with 49% of Independents and 46% of Republicans approving of his leadership. This is just the latest poll to show Gov. Beshear’s unifying leadership is incredibly popular with voters, regardless of party affiliation. Since taking office, Gov. Beshear has worked across the aisle to deliver big solutions for Kentuckians, like landing historic economic developments, lowering the cost of prescription drugs, and raising pay for state troopers, all while guiding the commonwealth through devastating natural disasters.
Republican Governors Trade Punches Over Presidential AmbitionsThis week, several Republican governors are stepping up their attacks on one another in their self-serving pursuit of the 2024 GOP presidential nomination. “In recent days, DeSantis has found himself on the receiving end of criticism from fellow GOP heavy hitters, like South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem and New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu,” the Hill reported.In an interview with Fox News, Gov. Sununu slammed Gov. DeSantis for lashing out against private businesses that disagree with him. And in a statement to the National Review, a spokesperson for Gov. Noem laid into Gov. DeSantis for not being extreme enough on abortion.The bitter infighting indicates just how divided and extreme Republican governors are, and foreshadows a long year of intraparty attacks.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker to Kick Off Second Term With Bold Action On Gun Safety, Abortion Protections, and Worker’s RightsSworn into his second term this week, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker wasted no time taking meaningful, sweeping action on behalf of Illinoisans.In the first week of his second term, Gov. Pritzker signed an assault weapons ban and has plans to further Illinois’ nation-leading reproductive rights protections and guarantee paid sick leave for all workers.
“No Illinoisan should have to go through life fearing their loved one could be next in an ever-growing list of mass shooting victims,” Gov. Pritzker said. “We will keep fighting to ensure that future generations only hear about massacres like Highland Park, Sandy Hook, and Uvalde in their textbooks.”
“Our North Star is this: To make Kansas the best place in America to raise a family, where you can see opportunity for yourself, for your children, and for your grandchildren.”
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly on her vision for her second term.
“When we say don’t tread on Florida or let us alone, we mean that, including on your gas stoves.”Who said it? Send your answer to press@dga.net, and we’ll reveal the answer in the next Weekender!If you guessed losing Massachusetts Republican candidate Geoff Diehl’s campaign manager last week, nice work! Regarding the state GOP’s inner turmoil, she accused the party of being too divided to win races.
