Democratic governors J. B. Pritzker (Illinois) and Jared Polis (Colorado) revealed on Wednesday that they will spearhead a national gubernatorial initiative to protect against threats to democracy.
Governors Safeguarding Democracy (GSD) will launch as a nonpartisan coalition aimed at “[leveraging] the collective strength, experience, and institutional knowledge in governors’ offices across the country to craft laws and policies that protect the rule of law and serve the people of our great states,” the group’s website reads.
“As the nation faces increasing threats against American democracy — including the dangers of authoritarianism and the undermining of democratic institutions — governors will lead a new initiative, GSD, chaired by Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and Colorado Governor Jared Polis.”
The website also presented ways the organization seeks to exert influence. “Through governor-led efforts and the support of a network of senior staff designated by each governor, GSD will foster cross-state collaboration, including the sharing of essential tools, knowledge, and resources.”
The Illinois governor underscored the motivation for spearheading such a coalition.
“At this critical moment in our history, we must unite to protect the foundations of our democracy and ensure our institutions withstand threats and persevere in their mission to improve the lives of our people,” Pritzker said.
“Governors Safeguarding Democracy will serve as a powerful force in state-level efforts to ensure that our democracy lives up to our ideals and thrives for generations to come.”
This effort comes against the backdrop of a second resounding Donald Trump presidential victory, the Democrats losing control of the Senate, and an all-but certain Republican retention over the House of Representatives.
California governor Gavin Newsom has already called on his state legislature to steps in “Trump-proofing” the state’s progressive agenda.
“It’s built off a model that all of us governors have already successfully pioneered through the Reproductive Freedom Alliance,” Prtizker told journalists via the Chicago Sun-Times.
“And together, what we’re doing is pushing back against increasing threats of autocracy and fortifying the institutions of democracy that our country and our states depend on.”