Christine Nguyen, a former neuro ICU nurse, left her stressful job during the Covid-19 pandemic to open a boba tea shop called Rebel Teahouse in Decatur, Georgia. She felt the need for a change and wanted to bring something positive to her community amidst the chaos of the pandemic. Decatur is a part of DeKalb County, a growing Atlanta suburb that played a crucial role in flipping Georgia blue in 2020. Nguyen, who had reservations about both Donald Trump and Joe Biden in the last election, has now decided to vote and believes that voting is essential, especially with issues like abortion rights at stake.
In DeKalb County, Jan and Celia Gardner, who are conservative Republicans, have seen their community change politically over the years. They feel disillusioned with the government and express mistrust towards institutions like the DOJ, FBI, and CIA. People in their neighborhood are hesitant to discuss politics, sticking to safer topics like schools, traffic, and taxes. Despite being in a politically split community, the Gardners remain loyal Republicans and wish Trump would tone down his rhetoric. They echo common grievances of Trump supporters.
The demographic and political shift in Georgia’s suburbs is evident, with counties like DeKalb and Gwinnett becoming more diverse and educated. Education levels have played a significant role in driving these areas towards the Democratic Party. Kim Cavaliere, a school nurse in Gwinnett County, has voted for third-party candidates in the past due to her disillusionment with both major parties. She is concerned about Biden’s age and Trump’s behavior, hoping for a more rational choice in the next election.
Carey Fulks, a resident of the Grove Park neighborhood in Atlanta, is supportive of President Biden but wishes there were more passionate candidates in the mix. He is struggling economically with part-time jobs and sees a lot of change in his neighborhood. On the other hand, Matt Vrahiotes, a Christian conservative from Hall County, expresses mixed feelings about both Biden and Trump. He supported Ron DeSantis in the primaries and is considering independent candidates like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in the upcoming election.
Vrahiotes, who owns a winery in Hall County, is cautious about publicly expressing his political views due to the divided nature of his community. He understands the importance of remaining neutral as a small business owner in a politically diverse area. With Georgia now being a battleground state, every vote counts, and residents like Vrahiotes are weighing their options carefully. Despite his leanings towards Republican policies, he is open to considering alternative candidates in the upcoming election to ensure that his vote reflects his values accurately.
