QOTD: "Signal For His Party"

 

With concerns among Dems about the aging leadership of the party, Wisconsin's popular Dem Gov. Tony Evers, 73, has announced he's not running for a third term, opening up the race to a new generation.  He was the favorite to win, but chose to step back, something that other senior Dem office holders should be doing.  John Nichols writes in The Nation:

"...Evers announced Thursday, in his typically understated fashion, that he was bowing out. 'I’ve spent 50 years in public service, and I’m damn proud I’ve devoted my career and most of my life to working for you, Wisconsin,' he said. 'But the truth is that the only thing I love more than being your governor is being a husband, a dad, and a grandpa—and it’s time for me to focus on the things I enjoy and love doing with my family. So today, I’m announcing that I will not be running for a third term.'

Though Wisconsin Democrats would have preferred that Evers make another bid, his decision to stand down was another boost—or, at the least, an important signal—for his party.

The field of contenders to replace Evers began filling up immediately Thursday, as a crop of prominent Democratic contenders, most in their 30s and 40s, expressed interest in the race. That’s worth noting. Democrats are wrestling with the question of whether too many of their party leaders are too old—and about whether that reality could cost them politically, as it did when former President Joe Biden had to quit his reelection bid in 2024.

While the debate rages elsewhere, one of the nation’s longest-serving and most respected Democratic governors decided, as an incumbent with a clear path to reelection, that he was ready to hand off the baton." (our emphasis)

Unfortunately, it's not likely that most elderly Dems in Evers' situation will step aside, thus potentially forcing divisive primaries to replace them.  Gov. Evers did the right thing, as we knew he would.

 (photo: Anya van Wagtendonk / Wisconsin Public Radio)