The Weekender (4/3/20)

Welcome to the Democratic Governors Association’s Friday newsletter, The Weekender.
Let’s get started.

Montana: Both Democratic gubernatorial candidates have put a hold on much of their campaign activity in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Whitney Williams has canceled her 56-county campaign tour due to Governor Bullock’s statewide stay-at-home order. Lt. Gov. Mike Cooney said that his personal campaigning has been in a “holding pattern,” as he works with Gov. Steve Bullock to keep Montanans fully-informed on the state’s battle against coronavirus.
Indiana: Democratic gubernatorial candidate Dr. Woody Myers is using his experience as an emergency room physician and state health commissioner to offer Hoosiers a substantive plan for COVID-19, called “A New Way.” Myers would like the state to reopen closed Indiana factories to manufacture medical supplies, which would help the Indiana economy recover from the pandemic as well as provide health care workers with the personal protective equipment they desperately need. The plan garnered praise in The Journal Gazette from state Rep. Ed Delaney.

Parson’s Early $1.5 Million Spend Fails At Preventing Primary Challengers
Gov. Mike Parson had almost made it into the clear – he was this close. But then, on the last day of filing and after Parson’s allies spent $1.5 million trying to prop him up, Parson still ended up with a primary challenger. 
Maybe it was the months of rumors of a primary challenge or Parson’s failed leadership during the worst crisis to hit Missouri that pushed Saundra McDowell to jump into the race. Parson now faces a sitting Republican legislator as well as an Air Force veteran and former statewide candidate who received more than one million votes just two years ago. 
One thing, however, is clear – Parson’s record of putting Jefferson City insiders ahead of Missouri’s families and his complete lack of leadership during the coronavirus pandemic has made Parson vulnerable, as noted by Cook Political Report’s recent ratings change. And this news tells us that even Republicans in Missouri see him as weak.

Nearly 70% Of Washingtonians Back Gov. Jay Inslee’s Strong Leadership During COVID-19 Pandemic
Gov. Jay Inslee has repeatedly taken decisive action to protect Washington State from the threat of COVID-19. From removing the unemployment insurance waiting period, placing a moratorium on evictions, and providing grants to small businesses, Gov. Inslee has worked tirelessly to blunt the financial pain of this public health emergency.
In addition, Washington State’s signature paid sick leave program has served the state well as workers were able to stay at home instead of having to work and contribute to the spread of COVID-19.
In a new KING 5 poll taken between March 27-30, nearly 70% of respondents approved of the job Gov. Inslee has been doing, reflecting his strong and clear communication during this crisis. This support transcended traditional partisan lines with 56% of Republicans supporting Gov. Inslee’s leadership.



“We have to come together by staying apart.”

• Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear offers Americans advice on how to handle COVID-19 during an interview with CNN.

“Individuals could have been infecting people before they ever felt bad, but we didn’t know that until the last 24 hours.” (Hint: This wasn’t an April Fool’s joke)
Who said it? Send your answer to press@dga.net and we’ll reveal the answer in the next Weekender!
If you guessed GOP New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu last week, you were right! Sununu keeps referring to COVID-19 as “the flu.”