The Weekender (10/18/19)

Welcome to the Democratic Governors Association’s Friday newsletter, The Weekender. This weekly newsletter keeps you updated on all the gubernatorial campaign news you need to start your weekend.
Let’s get started.

Kentucky: Attorney General Andy Beshear’s campaign released a new ad highlighting how Matt Bevin harms working families by attacking teachers and trying to take away their health care.

At Tuesday’s debate, Bevin tried to trip Beshear up by asking about agritech and was left speechless when Beshear schooled him. Watch for yourself here.
Mississippi: Attorney General Jim Hood released a new ad, “Can’t Trust,” highlighting how Tate Reeves is making last minute promises on education he failed to deliver on during his eight years as lieutenant governor. Reeves can’t be trusted to bolster public education.

Louisiana: Gov. John Bel Edwards released his first ad of the runoff, “This Election.” The ad lays out the stakes of the election—to move forward with Gov. Edwards or to move backward to the Jindal days with Eddie Rispone.

-hand.

Tate Reeves Tries To Rewrite His Anti-Education Record
Mississippi Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves is having trouble explaining why he’s a johnny-come-lately to supporting public education. He tried in both debates to paint over his record of cutting education and even released an ad trying to rewrite his record.
Mississippians aren’t buying it though. Hours before the second debate, Mississippi Today revealed Reeves’ ad touting teacher pay raises was partially filmed at a private school and featured private school teachers. The ad even featured Republican political appointees and a school used in the ad was founded by a Reeves campaign donor.
A Columbus Dispatch columnist put it best: “Asking Reeves for his thoughts on improving public education is like asking the fox how he would improve hen house security.”

Gov. Gavin Newsom Ends Lunch-Shaming In California
California Gov. Newsom signed legislation this week ending “lunch-shaming,” a practice where students are shamed for their inability to pay for a meal and are denied a meal of their choice. Instead, students are given a cold meal like a cheese sandwich or PB&J.
Gov. Newsom credited elementary schooler Ryan Kyote for bringing the issue into the spotlight after Kyote made news for donating his allowance to cover his classmates’ lunch debt.

101 days – Number of days Republicans in North Carolina have spent digging their heels in instead of offering a counterproposal to Gov. Roy Cooper’s budget that would give educators a much-needed raise and expand Medicaid.

70 percent – Percentage of New Mexico families who will receive an income tax cut thanks to a bill signed into law by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.

50 percent – Percentage increase in financial aid available to Illinois college-bound students under an ambitious plan released by Gov. JB Pritzker last week.

“I am dismayed that America is sharply reducing its commitment to extend a hand of hope and freedom to vulnerable families across the world. But I remain committed to ensure – to the fullest extent possible – that Pennsylvania continues our founding traditions of tolerance and acceptance. If other states reject these families, they will be welcomed here.”

-Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf writing a letter to President Trump and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo reaffirming his commitment to keep the Commonwealth’s doors open to people facing persecution and danger.

“I’m a kingmaker. I talk from the throne.”

The political mentor of which gubernatorial candidate said it? Send your answer to press@dga.net and we’ll reveal the answer in the next Weekender!

If you guessed New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu last week, you were right! Sununu said, “We are not doing dumb things like raising the minimum wage. That would be disastrous.” Sununu vetoed a bill that would have raised the minimum wage to $12, which would have helped 115,000 Granite Staters.