Welcome to the Democratic Governors Association’s Friday newsletter, the Weekender.
Let’s get started.
Arizona: Yet again, Kari Lake is being slammed for making ridiculous and bizarre claims without factual basis. In a new video, Lake accuses Katie Hobbs of voting to block the teaching of the pledge of allegiance, national anthem, and the Constitution. But in a scathing new segment, KTVK reported that “the bombshell claim that Lake promised isn’t true.” By actually reading the bill Lake cites as proof of her claim, it’s clear that the bill had nothing to do with purging any approved materials from classrooms. “The wild claim has led to speculation that Lake doesn’t understand how laws are created,” KTVK reported. “That’s a big problem for someone whose job it would be to sign or veto them.” To make matters worse, Lake doubled down on Twitter by citing other bills to back her claim — but none of those bills have anything to do with the pledge of allegiance or any other founding document either.Rhode Island: A new report from WPRI exposes GOP gubernatorial nominee Ashley Kalus for receiving a tax exemption on her mansion in Illinois even after she moved to and registered to vote in Rhode Island. Under state law, the homestead exemption is only for homeowners who live in their residence full-time, which Kalus clearly did not as she was busy mismanaging COVID test centers in Rhode Island. Though Kalus only moved to the state she hopes to govern last year and registered to vote there a mere eight months ago, she has plenty of ties to other states, previously working for Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner as he tanked Illinois’ budget and public programs. Kalus, who was born in California and grew up in Massachusetts, also owns another million-dollar home in Florida, where she voted as recently as 2020.
Tim Michels’ Corporation Under Fire Again Amid Allegations of Sexual Harassment and Racial Discrimination Spanning DecadesA new report from CBS Milwaukee exposes a long pattern of sexual harassment and racial discrimination at Tim Michels’ company — Michels Corporation.In five lawsuits filed between 1998 and 2020, employees recounted instances of abuse and discrimination during their time working at Michels Corporation. Three former female employees described being physically harassed and intimidated by male coworkers for denying sexual advances on the job. These women often faced retaliation, with at least one ultimately forced to leave because of the company’s “failure to address the ongoing, severe and persistent sexual harassment.”In 2014 and 2020, Michels Corporation faced two lawsuits brought by Black employees who described racial discrimination, including a noose found near a job site.
Michels is no stranger to unethical business practices. Earlier this year, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported on his plan to continue seeking millions in state contracts if elected governor despite state laws barring such action.
New York Times and Washington Post Expose GOP Candidates for Governor for Refusing to Say They’ll Accept the 2022 Election ResultsLast weekend, the New York Times and Washington Post published jarring reports exposing the GOP’s slate of gubernatorial candidates for embracing baseless election conspiracy theories and refusing to promise they’ll accept the results of the 2022 election.“Of the 19 GOP candidates questioned by The Washington Post, a dozen declined to answer or refused to commit,” the Post reported. “Democrats all said they would respect the results.”Key excerpts exposing some of the Big Lie candidates for governor:
AZ GOP nominee Kari Lake “was asked in a radio interview this month whether she would concede a defeat to Katie Hobbs, her Democratic rival and Arizona’s secretary of state. ‘I’m not losing to Katie Hobbs,’ Ms. Lake replied.”
FL GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis “responded that he would have nothing to say [on a pledge to accept the results.]”
MA GOP nominee Geoff Diehl’s “spokeswoman, Peggy Rose, replied ‘no comment’ when asked if he would agree to the outcome of the November election.”
MD GOP nominee Dan Cox’s aides “did not respond to repeated requests for comment on their own races in November.”
MI GOP nominee Tudor Dixon “would not commit to honoring the results of the primary — which she went on to win — or the general election, pre-emptively accusing Ms. Benson, the secretary of state, of election fraud.”
PA GOP nominee Doug Mastriano “is widely expected to contest his own result if he does not win.”
WI GOP nominee Tim Michels “did not respond when asked by The Washington Post if he would accept the results of the race.”
“The danger of a Trumpist coup is far from over,” Georgetown law professor Rosa Brooks told the New York Times, adding, “our democracy remains in jeopardy.”
California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Bloomberg with David Westin discussing green energy, growing the economy, and immigration reform.Florida Democratic gubernatorial nominee Charlie Crist on CNN with Erin Burnett slamming Ron DeSantis’ cruel political stunt of sending migrant families to Massachusetts.Maryland Democratic gubernatorial nominee Wes Moore on MSNBC with Willie Geist talking about his “leave no one behind” agenda and Dan Cox’s extremism.
“Like many Arizonans, I did what I had to do to provide for my family … It was hard to struggle financially, and I never wanted my kids to worry. But when you are a parent, you do whatever is necessary to put food on the table and pay the bills.”
Arizona Democratic gubernatorial nominee Katie Hobbs on driving for Uber to support her family.
“With Tim Michels as governor, you’re going to be able to do everything Florida has done and more on the issue of election integrity.”Who said it? Send your answer to press@dga.net, and we’ll reveal the answer in the next Weekender!If you guessed Pennsylvania GOP gubernatorial nominee Doug Mastriano last week, you’re correct. Last week, Mastriano threatened to undermine Pennsylvanians’ votes in future elections if he’s elected governor.
