Governors’ races in ‘blue wall’ states carry high stakes for voting rights

By Reuters Posted on February 20, 2022

Gov. Wolf Proposes New Investments to Build Successful Future for Pennsylvania Families

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf delivers the budget address. After transforming the state’s budget from a severe shortfall to a record surplus over seven years, Governor Tom Wolf today outlined his vision for a generational investment in education and to raise wages, attract innovative industries and create good jobs that will make Pennsylvania an even better place to live and work. Harrisburg, PA – February 8, 2022

By James Oliphant

Democrats are in jeopardy of losing their long-time firewall against new voting restrictions in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin should Republicans who support such curbs win competitive governors’ races in those states in November.

Republican victories in the three states could have profound implications for the 2024 presidential election. Nicknamed the “blue wall” after helping President Joe Biden defeat Donald Trump in 2020, they also were home to challenges from Republican officials trying to overturn the election’s results.