Georgia’s incumbent Republican Senators Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue are facing close battles against Democratic candidates Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff. The winners will determine who keeps the majority or splits the Senate – and may impact the fundamental structure of American government.
In the race between Loeffler and Warnock this past week, the incumbent unleashed ads and a website criticizing Warnock’s policies and past. Loeffler accused Warnock to communist agendas and “anti-American” views, such as anti-gun sentiments.
Warnock’s campaign stated that it wouldn’t engage in Loeffler’s attacks. However, Warnock soon turned around with attack ads of his own. Then, his sights shifted to his own party on Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY), after the minority leader commented on the Georgia runoff election as a means of advancing an overhaul of standard American laws and principles.
“Now we take Georgia, then we change the world. Now we take Georgia, then we change America.”
Warnock responded to Schumer’s aspirations negatively in a CNN interview.
“The fact of the matter is, Jake [Tapper], the voters don’t vote for politicians. This race is not about me, and Chuck Schumer’s name is certainly not on the ballot. I will tell you what is on the ballot. Health care is on the ballot – access to affordable health care.”
In the same interview, Warnock denied some of the allegations posed by Loeffler.
“I understand why Kelly Loeffler is trying to change the subject. I was a youth pastor, I had nothing to do with that program. I did not make any decisions regarding the program. I’ve never met the Cuban dictator. And so – I’m not connected to him. I’ll tell you whose names are on the ballot: Raphael Warnock and Kelly Loeffler. This race is not about anyone else. And so while she tries to tie me to these personalities that I don’t know, and seeks the endorsement of a fifth century warmonger named Attila the Hun, I’ll be focused on healthcare in Georgia.”
Loeffler has ignored Warnock’s denial and jabs. Instead, she continues to characterize Warnock as “the most dangerous and radical candidate in America.”
Sunday, GPB announced that Loeffler and Warnock are scheduled to debate at the Atlanta Press Club on December 6th from 7 to 8 pm EST.
As for Perdue and Ossoff, the two are at odds on whether to debate or not. While Ossoff agreed quickly to six proposed debates, Perdue declined. Perdue’s Communications Director, John Burke, explained that Perdue didn’t believe Ossoff would answer questions about his policies.
“We’ve already had two debates in this election. In each, Ossoff lied repeatedly, and of course the media failed to hold him accountable.”
In response to Perdue’s refusal to debate, Ossoff taunted the senator in a series of tweets, calling the senator “David ’empty podium’ Perdue,” and “coward.”
The two last debated at the end of October. Perdue canceled the last scheduled debate to attend a rally with President Donald Trump.
One of the hosts, Atlanta Press Club, stated that it would hold its debate even if Perdue doesn’t show.
“The Atlanta Press Club’s Loudermilk-Young Debate Series is disappointed that Sen. David Perdue has decided to not participate in his debate. Jon Ossoff has confirmed his participation, so according to our rules, we will proceed with the debate and Senator Perdue will be represented by an empty podium.”
From their statement, it appears that the club doesn’t plan on reclassifying the event as a speech.
Aside from debates, Perdue has focused on bigger partisan issues – such as the implications of a split or lost Senate. The senator stated that his and Loeffler’s seats are “the last line of defense” for true American values.
“What’s at stake is this: that Schumer will change the rules in the Senate, so they can do anything they want with 50 votes plus the vice president’s vote as a tiebreaker.”
Perdue also listed some of the Democratic Party’s main objectives: packing the court, adding states to the union to add Democratic seats, and abolishing the electoral college.
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY-14) stated that if Democrats win the Senate, they won’t have to work with Republicans.
“Well, I’m going to be spending my next couple of months doing everything that I can to extend help and offer support to the work of fantastic leaders that we just heard from, like Stacey Abrams to make sure that we don’t have a Republican Senate majority, that we win these races in Georgia, that we secure a Democratic Senate majority, so that we don’t have to negotiate in those ways.”
Perdue added that a Democratic majority would allow them to grant themselves the power to defund the police, instill the Green New Deal, open borders, establish sanctuary cities, cut military spending, and abolish private health insurance.
Both parties have accrued a team of backers to support their candidates. The Democrats have groups including the New Georgia Project, Fair Fight, the Democratic Party of Georgia, Atlanta-North Georgia Labor Council, and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. The Republicans have the National Republican Senatorial, Committee, Club for Growth, and the Americans for Prosperity.
Neither spokespersons for Loeffler or Perdue responded by press time.
The latest polls by Remington Research Group show Loeffler leading Warnock by 1 point, and Perdue leading Ossoff by 2 points.
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Corinne Murdock is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and the Star News Network. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to [email protected].
