Donald Trump tried to avoid a devastating defeat in Georgia's governor's race, as Republican primary voters determined the fate of Trump's hand-picked candidate to be the leader of one of the most competitive political battlegrounds within the U.S.
Five states, including Alabama and Texas, were participating in the vote, along with Minnesota, Texas, Arkansas, Texas, and Minnesota. Trump's lie about the 2020 election being stolen and Georgia was his most consumed state, however.
After incumbent GOP Gov. After Trump's false claims of widespread voter fraud in Georgia, Brian Kemp refused to take them seriously. The former president sought revenge by personally recruiting David Perdue, a former Republican senator to challenge him. Kemp was a strong fundraiser who saw the potential of incumbency. Kemp revealed plans to build a Hyundai Motor Plant in Savannah, Georgia, worth $5.5 billion and employing 8,100 people.
Perdue's supporters were anticipating a narrow defeat. The only question was whether Kemp would be able to win the 50% majority that he needed in order to avoid a runoff next month.
Matha Zoller, a Republican activist and host of a talk show in northeast Georgia with connections to Trump and Perdue, stated that "We're certainly not going to have another runoff." It's going to make you embarrassed."
These results may raise questions about the GOP's power structure. Despite Trump's popularity among party loyal voters, the first stage of the midterm primary campaign has shown that they aren't always in his favor. Others prominent Republicans are becoming more assertive.
Mike Pence, Trump's vice president, rallied in Atlanta with Kemp on Monday evening.
He said that elections are about the future and added that "if you vote for Brian Kemp tomorrow you will say yes" to freedom in Georgia. You will vote for our most beloved values, which are at the core of everything we cherish.
Trump held a phone rally for Perdue and described him as "100% MAGA."
Brody Nelson, 19, voted Tuesday in Woodstock, an Atlanta suburb. He said Trump's influence was a "big deal". This led to his decision to support Perdue.
He stated that Trump did a lot when he was in office and did a lot to help small businesses, people in need, and those who are less fortunate than the wealthy and powerful.
Nathan Johnston, a 42 year-old land surveyor, stated that he voted for Kemp because of his leadership over "a difficult four years."
He stated that Georgia's economy is doing well. "We didn’t stay down longer than necessary and worked our way through this pandemic. The economy is doing quite well, so I think that speaks well of him."
Republicans and Democrats across the board were battling with ideologic and strategic divisions that would determine which candidates to nominate, and which issues to prioritize in November's general election.
Democrats were particularly focused on the runoff election in South Texas where Rep. Henry Cuellar, longtime incumbent, was up against a strong challenge from Jessica Cisneros, a progressive candidate in a race in which abortion was a major issue. Cuellar is currently the only anti-abortion Democrat in the House.
Georgia is the most difficult place for Trump to reform the GOP.
By STEVE PETOPLES and JEF AMY
2 hours ago
On Tuesday, May 24, 2022 in Atlanta, a voter votes in the Georgia primary election. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
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On Tuesday, May 24, 2022 in Atlanta, a voter votes in the Georgia primary election. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
ATLANTA (AP), Donald Trump hoped to avoid a stinging loss in the Georgia governor's election on Tuesday, as Republican primary voters determined the fate of Trump's hand-picked candidate for the presidency to lead one the most competitive political battlegrounds the U.S.
Five states, including Alabama and Texas, were participating in the vote, along with Minnesota, Texas, Arkansas, Texas, and Minnesota. Trump's lie about the 2020 election being stolen and Georgia was his most consumed state, however.
After incumbent GOP Gov. After Trump's false claims of widespread voter fraud in Georgia, Brian Kemp refused to take them seriously. The former president sought revenge by personally recruiting David Perdue, a former Republican senator to challenge him. Kemp was a strong fundraiser who saw the potential of incumbency. Kemp revealed plans to build a Hyundai Motor Plant in Savannah, Georgia, worth $5.5 billion and employing 8,100 people.
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Perdue's allies were anticipating a narrow defeat. The only question was whether Kemp would get the 50% majority needed to avoid a runoff next month.
Matha Zoller, a Republican activist and host of a talk show in northeast Georgia with connections to Trump and Perdue, stated that "we're not going for a runoff." It's going to make you embarrassed."
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These results may raise questions about the GOP's power structure. Despite Trump's popularity among party loyal voters, the first stage of the midterm primary campaign has shown that they aren't always in his favor. Others prominent Republicans are becoming more assertive.
Mike Pence, Trump's vice president, rallied in Atlanta with Kemp on Monday evening.
He said that elections are about the future and added that "when you vote tomorrow for Brian Kemp, you will affirm a future of Georgia freedom." You will vote for our most beloved values, which are at the core of everything we cherish.
Trump held a phone rally for Perdue and described him as "100% MAGA."
Brody Nelson, 19, voted Tuesday in Woodstock, an Atlanta suburb. He said Trump's influence was a "big deal". This led to his decision to support Perdue.
He stated that Trump did a lot when he was in office and did a lot to help small businesses, people in need, and those who are less fortunate than the wealthy and powerful.
Nathan Johnston, a 42 year-old land surveyor, stated that he voted for Kemp because of his leadership over "a difficult four years."
He stated that Georgia's economy is doing well. "We didn’t stay down longer than necessary and worked our way through this pandemic. The economy is doing quite well, so I think that speaks well of him."
Republicans and Democrats across the board were battling with ideologic and strategic divisions that would determine which candidates to nominate, and which issues to prioritize in November's general election.
Democrats were particularly focused on the runoff election in South Texas where Rep. Henry Cuellar, the long-serving incumbent, was up against a strong challenge from Jessica Cisneros, a progressive candidate in a race in which abortion was a major issue. Cuellar is currently the only anti-abortion Democrat in the House.
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Republicans decided a number of less-publicized primaries.
Former Trump aide Sarah Huckabee Sanders was likely to win the Republican nomination for governor in Arkansas. In Alabama, Rep. Mo Brooks, a conservative firebrand, was running to represent Republicans in the race for Sen. Richard Shelby's replacement. Brooks was a prominent figure at the Jan. 6 "Stop the Steal” rally that preceded the Capitol Attack. Trump initially gave Brooks his endorsement. However, Trump later rescinded the endorsement after seeing Brooks struggle in the polls.
Georgia was the state with more important elections this week than any other. This longtime Republican stronghold has been shifted Democratic in recent elections. Biden beat Trump in Georgia by less that 12,000 votes in 2020. Two months later, Democrats narrowly won the Senate seats.
Trump's 2020 loss obsession has overshadowed Republican primary elections for governor and senator, as well as secretary of state.
After he defeated conservative opponents raising questions about his domestic violence history, Trump-backed Herschel Walker, an ex-NFL star, was poised for the Georgia GOP Senate nomination. This fall, Walker will face Sen. Raphael Warnock (Democratic incumbent).
