While Republicans nationwide continue in do-more-harm mode, the seven Democratic governors who flipped previously Republican-held seats are trying to do some good, or at least roll back a little Republican harm.
Illinois will be getting a $15 minimum wage because Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed it after years of Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner blocking it. Maine’s new governor, Janet Mills, expanded Medicaid after her Republican predecessor, Paul LePage, opposed it at all costs, while in Wisconsin, Gov. Tony Evers is trying to do the same—though he has a gerrymandered Republican state legislature to contend with.
Six of the seven new Democrats have joined the U.S. Climate Alliance, seeking to blunt the damage of Donald Trump withdrawing the U.S. from the Paris climate accord. Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak signed gun background check legislation.
Wisconsin’s Evers isn’t the only Democratic governor to face a Republican legislature committed to keeping things as bad as possible, but even so, Democratic governors are making real change.