On The Trail

WHO IS MY AG?
This week, DAGA launched a new microsite called Who Is My AG? to educate voters about their state AGs. Designed to keep voters informed and engaged with their AGs in 2020, the website provides helpful information on AGs’ major actions and backgrounds. Check out the site here!

DAGA SHATTERS Q1 FUNDRAISING RECORD
This week, DAGA announced it raised more than $8 million across all platforms in the first quarter of 2020. Shattering previous committee fundraising records, DAGA raised more in Q1 of 2020 than in any other quarter in organization history and surpassed the total amount raised in 2017, the first full year after the committee’s revamp. Grassroots supporters continue to play an important role in the committee’s growth with over 20,000 individual donors powering online fundraising records for Q1; the grassroots donor program has grown nearly 200% since 2018. Executive Director Sean Rankin said, “Since Trump’s election, there has been no group of elected leaders more effective at protecting our democracy and defending the rights of citizens than Democratic AGs. We are working hard to elect more Democratic AGs who will fight to protect health care, promote equality, and serve as watchdogs on government for the people—something that Americans need more than ever.”

CHECKING IN ON INCUMBENT AGs: 

• North Carolina AG Josh Stein is hosting an educational video series for kids called Civics with Stein. AG Stein publishes the videos once a week and shares short lessons on topics such as federalism.
• Oregon AG Ellen Rosenblum is continuing her battle against hate-motivated crimes in Oregon. In January, AG Rosenblum announced the creation of a new hate and bias crime hotline and the start of a new PSA campaign to bring awareness to the state’s new hate crime law. Most recently in response to an uptick in discrimination against the Asian American and Pacific Islander community during the COVID-19 pandemic, AG Rosenblum issued an Anti-Discrimination Call to Action. AG Rosenblum has always been an advocate for stronger hate crime reporting and laws in her state, and she is keeping up the fight.
• Pennsylvania AG Josh Shapiro is keeping Pennsylvanians informed and calm during the COVID-19 outbreak. AG Shapiro is hosting weekly “General’s Briefings” on his Facebook page, where he outlines important notices, protections, and updates for Pennsylvanians. Watch the first “General’s Briefing” here on Facebook.
• Vermont AG TJ Donovan hosted a very special town hall this week: a virtual town hall for kids. During the town hall, AG Donovan answered questions from kids about COVID-19, his job as state AG, and how to change a law, among many others!
• Washington AG Bob Ferguson is encouraging Washingtonians to “See It, Snap It, Send It,” to report price gouging. AG Ferguson launched this brand new resource to protect Washington consumers during this global crisis.

MULTI-STATE MOMENTS!

PROTECTING THE PEOPLE
As millions of people face health and fiscal challenges related to COVID-19 and many communities struggle to address a lack of resources and protective equipment for the front lines, Democratic AGs continue to fight for their communities. This week, 22 Democratic AGs called on Trump to open the ACA exchanges so that individuals and families can access health care. For a more comprehensive list of actions taken by Democratic AGs this week, check out the memo here.

#HANDSOFFMYBC
This week, a coalition of 21 Democratic AGs filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court supporting Pennsylvania AG Josh Shapiro in his lawsuit defending the ACA’s requirement for contraceptive coverage and counseling. The brief, filed in Donald Trump et al. v. Pennsylvania, argues that states have an interest in protecting the ACA’s cost-free birth control coverage requirement, which has benefitted more than 62 million women across the country.

AG SPOTLIGHT

AM JOY WITH AG JAMES
New York is the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak in our country and New York AG Tish James is demonstrating how to lead in uncertain times. AG James has been fighting to keep New Yorkers as safe and healthy as possible during the outbreak, while also addressing consumers’ concerns and needs. In an appearance on MSNBC’s AM JOY with Joy Reid, AG James addressed coronavirus pandemic-linked price gouging and online medical scams. AG James told MSNBC, “This is nothing more than deceptive business practices…We are working with the online platforms to remove all of these posts.”

IG LIVE WITH AG HEALEY
This week, DAGA Co-Chair Massachusetts AG Maura Healey joined NARAL President Ilyse Hogue for an Instagram Live conversation about access to reproductive health care, including access to abortion. As the pandemic unfolds, Republicans continue to use the crisis to push extreme ideology — attempting to eliminate nearly all access to abortion. As a reminder, DAGA and Democratic AGs reinforced their support of reproductive health care, including access to abortion, here!

TWEET OF THE WEEK

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer tweeted out a big “thank you” to Michigan AG Dana Nessel on Monday, appreciating all of AG Nessel’s hard work in keeping Michigan consumers safe from price gouging schemes and other scams during the COVID-19 outbreak.

VIDEO OF THE WEEK

This week, DAGA shared a new video highlighting the importance of protecting health care now. Trump and Republican AGs have doubled down on their effort to limit access and take health care away from millions of Americans. Even the coronavirus pandemic hasn’t slowed the GOP attempt to dismantle the ACA. Watch the video here.

BONUS: Get caught up on what happened last week by watching DAGA’s very first video DAGA Download!