Here is what happened last week for DAGA and our Democratic Attorneys General:

ON THE TRAIL

DAGA MAKES HISTORIC COMMITMENT
The Democratic Attorneys General Association (DAGA) announced the committee will only endorse candidates who publicly commit to protecting reproductive rights including access to abortion. The new candidate requirement is the first-of-its-kind for any Democratic campaign committee, reinforcing the commitment of the organization, and its leadership to protecting reproductive health care for all people, not just a privileged few.

“As the battle for reproductive rights unfolds at the ballot box, in statehouses, and courtrooms across this country, there is no group of elected officials better positioned to lead the fight for our rights than state Attorneys General,” said DAGA Co-Chair Oregon AG Ellen Rosenblum. “That is why electing Democratic AGs who are committed to protecting reproductive freedom, especially for the most vulnerable communities, has never been more important.”

The announcement received praise from key political leaders, including 2020 Democratic Presidential candidates that were on the debate stage this week in Atlanta and reproductive rights leaders, praised the announcement:

• Alexis McGill Johnson, Acting President & CEO of Planned Parenthood
• Ilyse Hogue, President of NARAL
• Stephanie Schriock, President of Emily’s List
• Cecile Richards, Former President of Planned Parenthood
• Hillary Clinton, Former Secretary of State and 2016 Democratic Presidential Nominee
• Kirsten Gillibrand, U.S. Senator (NY)
• Kamala Harris, U.S. Senator (CA) & former Democratic Attorney General
• Elizabeth Warren, U.S. Senator (MA)
• Julian Castro, former Secretary of Housing & Urban Development

Watch the announcement video here! Read more details of the announcement here.

New DAGA Leadership announcement
DAGA announced that Massachusetts AG Maura Healey will be joining Oregon AG Ellen Rosenblum as the committee’s next co-chair. “As the incoming co-chair of DAGA, I am dedicated to growing this committee, winning tough races, and continuing to lead with values,” said Massachusetts AG Maura Healey. “Democratic Attorneys General continue to demonstrate that we are the most effective elected officials protecting our democracy—and I am honored to take on a leadership role in the fight to elect more strong leaders to this Democratic AG team.” District of Columbia AG Karl Racine will remain on DAGA’s Executive Committee. Additionally, Connecticut AG William Tong and Nevada AG Aaron Ford will join DAGA’s Executive Committee as New Mexico AG Hector Balderas leaves to head DAGA’s Independent Expenditure and Delaware AG Kathy Jennings becomes the head of DAGA’s Women’s Initiative. Read more about DAGA’s new leadership heading into 2020 here.

MULTI-STATE MOMENTS!

DEM AGS FUEL THE FIRE OF JUSTICE

Wisconsin AG Josh Kaul joined two dozen states in a lawsuit against the Trump Administration’s efforts to limit state’s power to regulate  greenhouse gas and zero emission vehicle standards . “[This] filing is part of the multi-state effort to protect the ability of states to keep leading the fight against climate change,” AG Kaul said. “It’s always important that states have the opportunity to lead efforts to protect our natural resources, and it’s especially important now, as the Trump administration has abandoned efforts to protect our environment.”

AG Kaul is joins CA, CO, CT, DE, HI, IL, ME, MA, MD, MI, MN, NV, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OR, PA, RI, VT, VA, and WA in the lawsuit. Read more here.

AG SPOTLIGHT!

JOSH STEIN CALLS OUT ROBOCALLS

During North Carolina AG Josh Stein’s speech in Charlotte, NC, he answered an audience member’s phone with a scammer on the other end. AG Stein says he picked up the phone and told the suspected scammer that they were “breaking the law”, evoking a round of applause from the crowd. AG Stein followed up by saying if you think you’re being scammed, hang up and call his office to report it. To view a video of the incident involving the audience member’s phone call, click here.

AG Stein later posted a downloadable voicemail for all North Carolinians to use for scammers more info here.

VIRGINIA IS FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM

Virginia AG Mark Herring took the pages of the The Virginian-Pilot to outline his bold ideas for how Virginia must reform the Commonwealth’s criminal justice system. His reform plans include cannabis reform, expanding opportunities for record expungement, cash bail reform, and Increasing safety, transparency and accountability in policing, use of force and deaths in custody. “The time has come to enact bold, long-overdue reforms that will make communities safer, strengthen families, ensure justice and accountability, address unacceptable racial disparities and save taxpayers money,” AG Herring writes. Read his full outline here.

TWEET OF THE WEEK

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Last week, Democratic Attorneys General were joined by the leadership team from Planned Parenthood Action Fund, including Acting President and CEO Alexis McGill Johnson to learn more about the current reproductive rights and access to abortion environment.