Welcome to the Democratic Governors Association’s weekend newsletter, the Weekender.
Let’s get started.
Kentucky: Gov. Andy Beshear has officially filed for re-election next year. While the GOP has been focused on a crowded primary, Gov. Beshear has spent his first term ensuring real results for Kentuckians. Gov. Beshear has led the state through crises and has ensured resources for emergency response, advocated for increased access to healthcare, and focused on building a more affordable Kentucky for all, saying, “Families want to hear that you’re trying to make their life better. You’re not trying to move something to the right or the left, but you’re trying to help them move forward.”Hawai’i: This week, newly elected Gov. Josh Green was officially sworn into office. As the first governor of this cycle to be inaugurated, Gov. Green will begin his work tackling Hawai’i’s most pressing issues. With plans to address affordable housing, public health, protecting natural resources, and much more, Gov. Green is committed to bringing real solutions to all Hawaiians. A former doctor and lieutenant governor, Gov. Green is a proven leader with innovative solutions to the problems that matter most to Hawaiians.
Arizona Certifies Election Amidst Kari Lake’s Baseless Allegations of FraudThis week, Gov.-Elect Katie Hobbs and other statewide elected officials certified Arizona’s election results statewide, a blow to failed GOP nominee Kari Lake’s efforts to overturn her loss.
The Associated Press reported that “Once a Republican stronghold, Arizona’s top races went resoundingly for Democrats after Republicans nominated a slate of candidates backed by Trump who focused on supporting his false claims about the 2020 election.”
Politico Highlights Dynamic Coalition of Democratic Governors Elected in 2022: “They might be the future of the party”New reporting from Politico is spotlighting the dynamic coalition of Democratic governors elected in the midterm elections and their role as the future of the Democratic Party.
Politico writes that Democratic governors’ “commanding victories against Republican candidates…coupled with dynamic on-the-stump presences and compelling life stories…has Democrats buzzing about their futures.”
The article continues: “The party last month successfully defended all but one of its incumbents and flipped three open seats, introducing or elevating a new group of chief executives onto the national stage. This midterm class of Democrats is young and diverse, and some of its members are likely to be the next leaders of the party.”
Politico also highlighted the historic diversity in Democratic governors elected in November, saying, “The wave of new faces is also diverse and includes the country’s first lesbian governors — [Tina] Kotek and [Maura] Healey — and the third elected Black governor in American history in [Wes] Moore.”
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper on MSNBC with Joy Reid discussing election laws and on CNN with Wolf Blitzer talking about the recent substation attacks which left many North Carolinians without power.
This moment is a new beginning for our state, and I’m honored to serve as your governor for the next four years. pic.twitter.com/6NQciui4Hi
“Our administration will look like Pennsylvania — diverse, determined, and ready to make Pennsylvania stronger.”
Pennsylvania Gov.-Elect Josh Shapiro on his new role and plans to build an administration that works for all Pennsylvanians.
“We just had an election here Nov. 8th which was run like they run elections in banana republics. And this is why I’m going to be contesting the election later this week.”
Who said it? Send your answer to press@dga.net, and we’ll reveal the answer in the next Weekender!
If you guessed ex-president Donald Trump last time, you were correct! In a post on Truth Social, Donald Trump spread debunked claims of election fraud and called for Kari Lake to be “installed” as governor.
