Democrats eye key governors’ races as backstop against GOP

Tony Evers was in a familiar spot earlier this month when Republican legislators sent him a bill that would have banned anti-racist teachings in schools. “It is a bit lonely, but I know I’m representing the people of Wisconsin.” Wisconsin is one of four states emerging as top priorities for Democrats in an election year when the party is facing fierce political headwinds. Roy Cooper of North Carolina, the head of the Democratic Governors Association, said the four governors are “standing in the breach against Republican state legislatures’ attacks on voting rights.” Cooper, who also contends with a Republican legislature, said the governors are “protecting the foundation of our democracy.” Republicans argue that Democrats are being obstructionist and simply refusing to work with the party that controls the legislatures in their states. Whitmer is the backstop in a world where, if Republicans were to control legislative chambers and the governor’s office in any of these states, stripping voting rights would just automatically become law,” said Patrick Schuh, Michigan director of the Democratic-leaning voter access advocacy group America Votes. “Whatever the number I’ve vetoed, it’s paltry compared to the number I’m going to.” ___ Associated Press writers Scott Bauer in Madison, Wisconsin; David Eggert in Lansing, Michigan; John Hanna in Topeka, Kansas; Marc Levy in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; and Nicholas Riccardi in Denver contributed to this report.