Republican states with leaders who have resisted mask mandates are leading the nation in infections. So it's with extreme pressure and facing dire circumstances that three Republican governors who have resisted mask mandates are now requiring them. Here's how these Republican governors are trying to pivot on masks. Kim ReynoldsWhat she said then: Perhaps no Republican governor has done as complete a 180 on masks as Reynolds. Reynolds responded with a no-way, calling a mandate a "feel-good" measure: "No, I'm not going to mandate masks.