Democrats win gubernatorial elections in three crucial ‘blue wall’ states

Democrats won gubernatorial races in the “blue wall” states of Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin on Tuesday, allowing them to fend off Republican-dominated state legislatures on issues like abortion rights and fair elections.

Democratic governors Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan and Tony Evers of Wisconsin were re-elected, while Josh Shapiro succeeded the outgoing Democratic governor in Pennsylvania, according to projections by Edison Research.

The three states served as a “blue wall” that helped President Joe Biden defeat Donald Trump in 2020, when Republican officials tried to overturn those results.

Republicans control state legislatures in all three territories, making governorships crucial for vetoing legislation.

Nationwide, there were 36 state governor races on the US midterm election ballot Tuesday, with the future of abortion rights and election oversight at risk in competitive races across the nation.

Democrats held a net two-seat lead, with tighter races on the West Coast yet to be decided, but Republican incumbents notched victories in marquee races in Florida, Georgia and Texas, Edison Research projected.

The high stakes brought more money and attention to statewide races, which are often overshadowed in midterm elections by the fight for control of Congress.

In Pennsylvania, Shapiro defeated Republican denier Doug Mastriano in a state where the governor appoints the official who oversees elections.

Mastriano has echoed Trump’s false claims about voter fraud and was present at the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, the day of a deadly riot, to protest the results of the 2020 presidential election.

Mastriano told supporters Tuesday night that he would respect the election results, but added that there were too many pending votes and that he wanted to see “what the voters have to say.”

In Michigan, Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer won a second term after campaigning strongly for abortion rights after the US Supreme Court struck down the constitutional right to abortion. Her Trump-backed opponent, commentator Tudor Dixon, supported a near total ban on abortion, including for child victims of incest and rape.

Democratic Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers narrowly defended his seat against Republican construction magnate Tim Michels, who falsely claimed Trump won the 2020 election.

Michels had promised that, if elected, he would enforce a 19th-century abortion ban that Evers is challenging in court.

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