Welcome to the Democratic Governors Association’s Friday newsletter, the Weekender.
Let’s get started.
Arizona: In an Arizona Republic opinion article, editorial columnist Elvia Díaz criticized Kari Lake’s far-right antics and hit Gov. Doug Ducey for enabling extremists like Lake. Lake showed just how extreme the primary field is when she called a Ducey staffer “OUT OF TOUCH” for charitably sending support to Ukraine. Lake is a “vile former TV news anchor who doesn’t miss a chance to spew her toxicity,” Díaz wrote. “But make no mistake. The governor will support whoever comes out victorious in the primary — even if that person is the far-right extremist, Make America Great and White Again Kari Lake.” The Republican Governors Association, which Ducey chairs, has booked more than $10 million of airtime in Arizona this fall, confirming that they’ll get behind the most unhinged, hateful views. Ducey, Lake, and fellow GOP primary candidate Karrin Taylor Robson have all expressed support for and, in Lake’s case, got the endorsement of, white nationalist and conspiracy theorist state Sen. Wendy Rogers.Colorado: After months of ducking forum appearances, Hiding Heidi Ganahl came out of the shadows to unveil her plans to take away Coloradans’ right to access reproductive health care. At a recent appearance at a Republican forum, Ganahl vowed to “protect the unborn” and called legislation that would declare that every pregnant individual has a fundamental right to continue a pregnancy or have an abortion — “abhorrent.” To cement the point that she’s against people making their own reproductive decisions, Ganahl went so far as to symbolically rip up the legislation, saying that’s what she’d do if it came to her desk if she was governor. Ganahl’s die-hard anti-choice agenda is just as extreme as the other candidates in the field. Danielle Nueschwanger, who is the current frontrunner in the GOP primary according to several straw polls, has previously promised to ban abortions in Colorado “in a heartbeat” if elected.
Republicans Refuse to Support Gov. Tony Evers’ Plan to Lower Costs, Improve Education, and Fund Child CareRepublicans in the Wisconsin state legislature are blocking Gov. Tony Evers’ efforts to lower costs, fund child care, and improve education for Wisconsinites. Less than a minute into a special session called by the governor, the GOP-controlled Wisconsin state legislature gaveled out, refusing to take action on Gov. Evers’ plan to put Wisconsin’s record surplus to work. The plan, which groups like AARP Wisconsin support, would give a $150 tax rebate to every Wisconsin tax filer and each of their dependents and invest in child care and education across the state.GOP candidate for governor Rebecca Kleefisch called the surplus plan a “non-starter” — even as a recent Marquette poll highlighted that Wisconsinites expect action on rising costs.While Republicans are leaving Wisconsinites high and dry, Gov. Evers continues to take action to address rising prices. During his first term, Gov. Evers signed historic tax relief for small businesses and delivered a 15 percent income tax cut for working families.
Politico Highlights New Focus for Donors: Save the GovernorsLast weekend, Politico reported that governors’ races are taking on newfound importance for major donors as Democratic governors are increasingly seen as “existential for the party’s presidential prospects, if not democratic governance itself.”In interviews with dozens of Democratic donors, advisors, and campaign institutions, Politico found an intensified focus on investing in governors’ races as Republicans embrace the Big Lie and Democratic governors in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Nevada, and Michigan have been “bulwarks for free elections.”“My entire donating life has always been centered around Congress, but I really think that if you care about democracy, you need to worry about these governors’ races,” donor Steve Elmendorf said. “This is critical for us to win in 2024.”
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy on CNBC with Becky Quick discussing economic progress and shifting to endemic COVID policy.
Today on #IWD2022 I signed legislation eliminating the tampon tax.
— Michelle Lujan Grisham (@Michelle4NM) March 8, 2022
“I’m running proudly on what we’ve accomplished together here in Nevada these last few years and I’m honored to have so many of you with me in this fight. Now let’s go win this!”
Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak announcing he officially filed paperwork to run for re-election.
“I never really expected any help from Mr. Putin, but I’m getting it.”Who said it? Send your answer to press@dga.net, and we’ll reveal the answer in the next Weekender!If you guessed Massachusetts GOP gubernatorial candidate Geoff Diehl last time, you were right! At the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), Diehl admitted he’s “not worrying about what’s going on in Massachusetts.”
