The Weekender (11/6/20)
Welcome to the Democratic Governors Association’s Friday newsletter, The Weekender.
Let’s get started.
North Carolina: Gov. Roy Cooper won a decisive victory over Dan Forest. Gov. Cooper has been a steadfast leader during the COVID-19 pandemic and his commitment to protecting the lives and livelihoods of North Carolinians has earned him a second term. This victory is also a rejection of the divisive, angry politics that defined Forest’s campaign.
Washington: Gov. Jay Inslee won a commanding victory over Loren Culp. Washingtonians overwhelmingly voiced their approval for Gov. Inslee’s steady, clear leadership during COVID-19. Gov. Inslee has been a national leader in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, saving countless lives by following science to enact public health measures. Prior to this crisis, Gov. Inslee helped build one of the country’s strongest economies, which will help working families in Washington rebound quickly as we make our way into recovery.
Kristi Noem’s Administration Feels “Pretty Good” About South Dakota’s Virus Rate Hitting 46%
South Dakota is experiencing one the worst COVID-19 outbreaks in the world, with an alarming positivity rate of 46%. But in an interview with the Wall Street Journal, one of South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem’s senior aides said “We feel pretty good about where we’re at. The governor is not going to change any of her approach—why should she?”
Here’s why Noem should probably change her approach – if Noem continues to ignore science, refuse to mandate masks, and implement zero COVID-19 safety policies, hospitals could become overwhelmed and countless South Dakotans could die, unnecessarily.
Noem’s advisor also said the governor doesn’t have an opinion on masks, but Noem has made her opinion on masks very clear – in an October op-ed that was so untrue one paper refused to publish it, Noem questioned the effectiveness of masks and touted her no-restrictions response to COVID-19 as a success.
The Director of Infectious Diseases from the University of Minnesota attributed the lack of mask wearing to the high positivity rate in the state.
The Blue Wall of Democratic Governors In Swing States to Ensure Every Vote Is Counted
As Americans await the results of the presidential election, Democratic governors in the swing states that have yet to be finalized are protecting our democracy and ensuring every single vote is counted.
While President Trump’s campaign claims false victories and attempts to create chaos in our democratic election, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf, Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, and North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper are defending the democratic process and ensuring full and fair counts.
In August, a coalition of Democratic governors led by Every State, Every Vote Co-Chair Oregon Gov. Kate Brown warned President Trump might try to suppress the vote, as he is doing now, and committed to carrying out a safe, secure general election. The governors said: “Americans don’t deserve a period of instability after the election, especially not after the instability that the pandemic has already brought to our communities.”
The ability to step up and lead in a crisis when the Trump administration has failed is one of the many reasons why Americans in swing states support their Democratic governor more than the President. These Democratic governors have paved the way for Joe Biden to get to 270 electoral votes. Democratic governors currently represent 288 electoral college votes – and since 2016, the DGA has won in nine states that went for Trump in the 2016 election.
Nearly all of the remaining states that could help the Biden-Harris ticket reach 270 are states Trump won in 2016 that now have Democratic governors – Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and North Carolina.
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, and Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf on CNN’s State of the Union, discussing their “blue wall” states ahead of election day.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy on MSNBC Live with Stephanie Ruhle, explaining how his state has prepared for a smooth election day.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on MSNBC’s Morning Joe, cautioning that the vote count could take a few days, and trying her best to get a 10/10 from Room Rater.
“Pennsylvania is going to count every vote and no amount of intimidation will stop our dedicated election officials in our municipalities … The planned attacks on our elections this morning are undemocratic and all elected officials must denounce them.”
- Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf condemning efforts to stop the vote count.
“We recognize that all of us are by nature, free and equal, and have certain inalienable rights. Among which are enjoying and defending life and liberty, acquiring, possessing and protecting property and pursuing happiness and securing safety.”
Who said it? Send your answer to press@dga.net and we’ll reveal the answer in the next Weekender!
If you guessed Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds last week, you were right! Reynolds mocked Senate candidate Theresa Greenfield for pausing her bus tour after a staffer was exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19. Reynolds made a mockery of every person who has cancelled a life event, missed a funeral, or hasn’t seen a loved one in months in order to slow the spread of COVID-19.