DAGA Download – August 24
August 24, 2020
ON THE TRAIL
Q&A IN INDIANA
Indiana’s Democratic AG nominee Jonathan Weinzapfel caught up with reporter Adam Wren to chat about why he’s running for state Attorney General, the issues that matter to Hoosiers, and the dangers of his Republican opponent, Todd Rokita. The summary of the Q & A according to Wren is that “Jonathan Weinzapfel might be Indiana Democrats’ best ticket out of the political wilderness.” Check it out here.
MASK UP MONTANA
Democratic AG nominee Raph Graybill has come out strongly in favor of protecting public safety and public health, asking that people wear a mask. “Health professionals agree masks help stop others from getting sick. That’s why I wear a mask” said Graybill. And while Montana’s Republican nominee for AG “declined to be interviewed for this story,” he appeared on a conspiracy theorist radio show that promotes QAnon where he said, health officials have been given “dangerous” power and that he has a “problem” with telling people they have to wear a mask.
ENDORSEMENT CORNER
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INDIANA: Democratic Nominee Jonathan Weinzapfel was endorsed by UFCW700.
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MISSOURI: Democratic Nominee Rich Finneran was endorsed by former Democratic AG candidate Elad Gross.
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MONTANA: Democratic Nominee Raph Graybill was endorsed by Montana Governor Steve Bullock & Montana’s Sportsmen Alliance.
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NORTH CAROLINA: AG Stein was endorsed by the North Carolina chapter of the National Association of Social Workers and Clark Gregg, most likely known as Agent Coulson in the Marvel Cinematic Universe!
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PENNSYLVANIA: AG Shapiro was endorsed by the Chester County chapter of Indivisible and Clean Water Action.
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WEST VIRGINIA: Democratic Nominee Sam Petsonk was endorsed by West Virginia School Service Personnel Association, American Federation of Teachers and West Virginia Education Association.
MULTISTATE MOMENTS
PRESERVING THE USPS
Democratic AGs filed lawsuits to protect the U.S. Postal Service and halt recent harmful changes enacted by Trump’s new Postmaster General, Louis DeJoy. Within fifteen minutes of Democratic AGs announcing their intentions to sue, Postmaster General DeJoy stated that he would suspend any changes until after Election Day. “We put Trump and his hand-picked Postmaster General on notice, and it worked. It’s no coincidence that DeJoy backed down just as Democratic AGs announced lawsuits. When Dem AGs team up, the Administration pays attention,” DAGA Co-Chairs Massachusetts AG Maura Healey and Oregon AG Ellen Rosenblum said in a statement. “But we won’t believe it until we see it. Without concrete action by DeJoy to undo the damage already done and prevent future problems, we are moving forward to hold the Trump Administration accountable.” Catch the latest in Buzzfeed News here.
BONUS: Democratic AGs across the country have been all over TV this week discussing how and why they are suing to protect the Postal Service. In case you missed it, check out the blog post here.
#DEMCONVENTION RECAP
DAGA PANELS AT #DEMCONVENTION
DAGA hosted three live panels during the Democratic National Convention, bringing together Democratic AGs from across the country to share how they are working together to protect our democracy and keep people safe. The panels highlighted how Democratic Attorneys General are taking on police reform, supporting educators and families heading back to school amid the pandemic, and upholding the rule of law during the Trump era. The panels reached nearly 500,000 viewers throughout the week. If you missed the live panels, check them out via the links below:
Meeting the Moment–and the Movement: Democratic Attorneys General, Policing, and Protests: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube.
DAGA and National Education Association: Virtual Reality: Back to School COVID Edition. The Fight to Protect Students and Families When the White House Fails: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube.
DAGA and College Democrats of America: The Power of Democratic AGs in Upholding the Rule of Law: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube.
FROM AG TO VP
Senator Kamala Harris made history when she accepted the Democratic nomination for Vice President of the United States of America. “We could not be more thrilled at the selection of our friend and former AG colleague, Senator Kamala Harris, as the running-mate to Vice President Joe Biden. This is an historic moment for our country and for women of color. We know Senator Harris as a steadfast, pragmatic leader who has spent her entire career fighting for the people. We stand ready to do whatever it takes to see the Biden-Harris team win at the ballot box and to see Democrats win up and down the ticket” DAGA Co-Chairs Massachusetts AG Maura Healey and Oregon AG Ellen Rosenblum said.
