Welcome to the Democratic Governors Association’s Friday newsletter, the Weekender.
Let’s get started.
Maryland: Republican Gov. Larry Hogan delivered a massive blow to GOP nominee for governor Dan Cox the same week as his primary victory by announcing he won’t vote for him in November. A spokesperson told reporters Hogan won’t vote for Cox, who Hogan has previously called a “Q-Anon whack job.” But Hogan isn’t the only Maryland Republican jumping ship now that Cox is the nominee. A senior advisor to Kelly Schulz said, “the Maryland Republican Party got together and committed ritualized mass suicide” by nominating Cox. Former RNC Chair and former Lieutenant Gov. Michael Steele added, “You got the Trump-iest numbnut you can find.” In the ultimate sign of party unity, the Maryland Republican Party has remained silent. Meanwhile, the DGA launched a video called “MAGAland,” exposing Cox’s radical agenda of banning abortion with no exceptions and making it easier for criminals to carry guns.Colorado: After a dumpster fire selection process, GOP nominee for governor Heidi Ganahl finally picked a running mate who’s just as extreme as she is. Her pick, Danny Moore, is a Big Lie-touting conspiracy theorist who was removed as the head of Colorado’s Independent Congressional Redistricting Commission in a unanimous bipartisan vote over his social media posts claiming there was widespread fraud in the 2020 presidential election. In one post the day after the January 6th insurrection, Moore said, “the election of 2020 will go down as the most questioned election in our country’s history.” Moore also made posts that attacked the media for “lying” about the dangers of COVID-19, which he has referred to as the “Chinese virus.” Ganahl has repeatedly embraced conspiracy theories herself. Ganahl spent months refusing to say Joe Biden was legitimately elected. In selecting Moore, Ganahl shows no sign of backing away from her dangerous, radical agenda.
Trump Takes Proxy War to Ducey’s Home Turf with Kari Lake RallyThe Trump-Pence-Ducey-RGA civil war is coming to a head today as Trump and Pence travel to Arizona to hold dueling campaign events for their opposing GOP primary candidates.The chaos comes after Pence endorsed Karrin Taylor Robson against Trump’s candidate of choice, Kari Lake. Meanwhile, Ducey continues his ongoing beef with Trump, slamming “Fake Lake” on national television and refusing to say if the RGA, which he co-chairs, will endorse Lake if she’s the nominee.In his rally, Trump will undoubtedly go on the attack against Taylor Robson, Pence, and Ducey, who he’s dubbed an “unelectable RINO.” He’s also certain to bring up his baseless conspiracy theories that the 2020 election was stolen — lies that both Lake and Taylor Robson have pushed throughout their campaigns.
Under JB Pritzker’s Leadership, Illinois in Strongest Financial Position in a GenerationIn his first term, Gov. JB Pritzker has put Illinois in its strongest financial position in a generation by delivering four balanced budgets, providing $1.8 billion in tax relief to working families across Illinois, and building up the state’s “rainy day” fund to historic highs.Gov. Pritzker’s fiscal year 2023 budget, signed in April, specifically prioritized fiscal responsibility. With last week’s $100 million deposit, Gov. Pritzker’s “rainy day” fund now boasts $854 million to protect Illinoisans in the case of a potential economic emergency and build long-term financial stability. It’s just one of many steps Gov. Pritzker has taken toward his goal of fiscal responsibility — steps that have earned Illinois a whopping six credit rating upgrades.This follows Gov. Pritzker’s record-shattering economic success in his first term, breaking records with the number of businesses created last year and leading the Midwest in business creation. Darren Bailey, the Republican nominee for governor, stood in the way of this progress while serving as a statesenatorbyvotingagainstallfourbalancedbudgets.
Ohio Democratic gubernatorial nominee Nan Whaley on MSNBC with Katie Phang talking about the dangers of Republican abortion bans and how she’ll protect reproductive rights if elected.
Look at what my niece made for me. She is clearly the creative one in the family 😂 pic.twitter.com/qhAFz3U2d5
“Our work to ensure our LGBTQ+ neighbors are safe and valued continues. From protecting reproductive health care to the freedom to marry who you love, we stand with you in these fights.”
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz on protecting LGTBTQ+ rights.
Said that a 14-year-old being raped by her uncle is a “perfect example” of why she supports banning abortion with no exceptions.Who said it? Send your answer to press@dga.net, and we’ll reveal the answer in the next Weekender!If you guessed Donald Trump for last week’s quote, you were correct! Trump slammed Gov. Larry Hogan’s candidate of choice while endorsing yet another far-right extremist, Dan Cox, who won Maryland’s GOP primary this week.
