The two leading candidates to lead the Democratic National Committee (DNC) are both speaking out against North Carolina Republicans for pushing through legislation that would hamstring the power of incoming Gov. Roy Cooper (D).

“The DNC has an election protection program, and this is at the heart of their mission,” Rep. Keith Ellison Keith Maurice EllisonOfficers in George Floyd's death appear in court, motion for separate trials Ex-Minneapolis officer involved in Floyd death asks judge to dismiss murder charge Over 50 current, former law enforcement professionals sign letter urging Congress to decriminalize marijuana MORE (D-Minn.) said Friday in a conference call, according to the Washington Post.

“It needs to step up right now to say this is outrageous, and get lawyers to oppose this undemocratic action that is happening right now. You gotta be in the fight.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Labor Secretary Tom Perez Thomas Edward PerezClinton’s top five vice presidential picks Government social programs: Triumph of hope over evidence Labor’s 'wasteful spending and mismanagement” at Workers’ Comp MORE — who entered the DNC race this week — called out outgoing Gov. Pat McCrory (R) for signing the legislation.

“Governor McCrory is both a model of what is wrong with today’s Republican Party and the rigged system they’re fighting tooth and nail to uphold,” Perez said. “Governor McCrory signed legislation to suppress the vote, discriminated against the LGBTQ community, and now, after voters have rejected his divisive and discriminatory actions, he’s signed a law to curtail the power of his successor.”

“That type of activity may be standard practice in autocracies like Russia, but it has no place in America. That may be why the Trump transition is saying that McCrory will ‘definitely’ get a job in his Administration.”

On Friday, McCrory signed a bill that would curtail the governor’s power to appoint people to state boards, including the Board of Elections.

Cooper threatened to sue state Republicans on Thursday, calling the measures "more ominous" than any "partisan power grab."