DAGA Download – October 23
October 23, 2020
ON THE TRAIL
NEW POLL: WV TIGHTENS
A newly released poll revealed a shockingly close race for Republican incumbent West Virginia AG Patrick Morrisey. The poll shows the race has tightened to just a 5-point contest even as Morrisey out-spends first-time candidate, Democratic AG nominee Sam Brown Petsonk, by a margin of 3-1. DAGA Deputy Political Director Manfred Mecoy said, “If you want to know just how unpopular cutting health care during this pandemic really is, look no further than the sinking re-election campaign of ‘Pain Pill Pat’ Morrisey.” Read more about the race here.
MOMENTUM IN MONTANA
On the heels of four major editorial board endorsements, Democratic nominee Raph Graybill announced he doubled his opponents fundraising. The editorial boards were resounding in their support of Graybill with the Billings Gazette writing, “Graybill has a broader, more innovative approach to public safety in the state.” These endorsements come as Montana veterans continue to speak out against Knudsen personally blocking access to a veterans’ park and his overall anti-public lands agenda. Read more here.
FACT CHECKING TODD ROKITA
Republican AG nominee and former Congressman Todd Rokita has repeatedly lied about his dangerous and harmful position on health care. His latest ad does it again. Read more about Rokita’s reckless health care record and misleading effort here.
UT AG DEBATE
After dodging and delaying a debate, UT AG Sean Reyes finally participated in what will be the only UT Attorney General debate this cycle. Democratic AG nominee Greg Skordas kept the pressure on as Reyes dodged questions and mislead voters about a key kitchen table issue: health care. On top of that, AG Reyes praised the co-founder of a data mining company called Banjo – who resigned in disgrace earlier this year when deep ties to the KKK were revealed. Read a full recap of the Utah AG debate here.
ONE VOTE AT A TIME (IS HOW WE WIN)
DAGA collaborated with One Vote At A Time collaborated on a new video underscoring the importance of electing Democratic Attorneys General and the crucial role state leaders play in keeping our communities safe. The video comes ahead of the full Senate vote on the confirmation of arch-conservative Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S. Supreme Court. The video features young artists speaking about issues they care about like climate change, education, health care, criminal justice reform, reproductive rights, and immigration—all critical issues for voters this November. DAGA Co-Chair Massachusetts AG Maura Healey, Connecticut AG William Tong, Minnesota AG Keith Ellison, and Colorado AG Phil Weiser are featured in the piece, affirming the dedication of the Dem AG team to fighting for justice, equity, and fairness. Read more here.
ENDORSEMENT CORNER
-
MISSOURI: Democratic AG nominee Rich Finneran was endorsed by the editorial board of the Kansas City Star
-
MONTANA: Democratic AG nominee Raph Graybill was endorsed by the editorial boards of the Billings Gazette and the Montana Standard
-
PENNSYLVANIA: AG Shapiro was endorsed by VP Joe Biden and Sen. Kamala Harris and Senator Bob Casey
-
WASHINGTON: AG Ferguson was endorsed by the editorial board of the Northwest Asian Weekly and The Seattle Medium
ON TV
-
NORTH CAROLINA: AG Stein released a new ad here
MULTISTATE MOMENTS
SNAP VICTORY
A Democratic AG coalition led by District of Columbia AG Karl Racine and New York AG Tish James successfully defeated the Trump administration’s effort to take away the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or food stamps from 700,000+ people. AG Racine said, “While the pandemic continues to drive millions of Americans into unemployment—including thousands of District residents—the Trump administration is focused on cutting vital food assistance rather than helping those in greatest need.” Read more about this victory in The Washington Post here.
DEFENDERS OF DEMOCRACY
President Trump continues to test the limits of our country’s democratic norms — attacking everything from voting-by-mail and the U.S. Postal Service to illegally telling people to vote twice and urging voter intimidation at the polls. Democratic Attorneys General, once again, are on the front lines — using every legal tool available to protect the integrity of the upcoming election and ensure every eligible vote is counted. Learn more about how Democratic AGs are protecting the integrity of the upcoming election, making sure every vote is counted and our democracy is defended here.
CENSUS VICTORY
Democratic AGs, led by California AG Xavier Becerra, secured another victory, this time when a California federal court blocked Trump’s unlawful effort to change the Congressional apportionment. “A complete, accurate census count is critical for ensuring Californians are heard in Congress — and that we get the resources we need to protect the health and well-being of our communities,” said AG Becerra. “Today’s decision is a critical victory for us all. It’s past time for the President to recognize that you can’t sidestep the Constitution. Whether it’s at the polls or through the census, we all have to do our part to make our voices heard.” This victory follows a ruling secured by New York AG Tish James in a New York federal court. Read more here.
AG SPOTLIGHT
Colorado AG Phil Weiser and Minnesota AG Keith Ellison challenged each other’s states to see who would have the higher turnout this election. AG Weiser started things when he posted on Twitter, “the challenge from Minnesota is on” along with a screen shot showing Colorado’s turnout just 1.3% lower than Minnesota. AG Ellison accepted saying, “YOU ARE ON.” This continues the trend of Democratic AGs leading the way in positively encouraging people across the country to vote in this year’s election.
Pennsylvania AG Josh Shapiro campaigned with President Barack Obama on the campaign trail for VP Joe Biden and Senator Kamala Harris for the first time this year. AG Shapiro joined President Obama in Philadelphia for a day of rallies, community events, and more. “Donald Trump is on one hell of a losing streak in court. And now it is time for us all to come together and deliver him one more loss and make sure Pennsylvania kicks him out of the White House are you with me on that?” said AG Shapiro.
TWEET OF THE WEEK
Ahead of the final debate and as Election Day draws near, DAGA shared some positive vibes on how best to secure a Joe Biden presidency – through the ballot box.
PHOTO OF THE WEEK
Secretary Hillary Clinton joined DAGA Co-Chairs Massachusetts AG Maura Healey and Oregon AG Ellen Rosenblum along with Delaware AG Kathy Jennings, Michigan AG Dana Nessel and New York AG Tish James for a grassroots fundraising event to support DAGA’s Women’s Initiative. Secretary Clinton noted that “[w]hen voters know who their AGs are, and where they stand on the issues, they vote for Democratic AGs.”
VIDEOS OF THE WEEK
Michigan AG Dana Nessel reminded voters that spooky season applies to voting too, with an appropriately themed voting GOTV PSA for Michiganders.
Nevada AG Aaron Ford shared his own version of a voting PSA, in which he and his son showed off their moves.
