In the final days of 2020, President Joe Biden visited Georgia to rally support for Democratic Senate candidates and celebrated his win in the state’s presidential election, the first Democrat to do so in nearly 30 years. However, as he returns to Atlanta with ambitions of winning again in a rematch with former President Donald Trump, he faces a different climate. Recent polls have shown Trump leading in Georgia, with support for Biden softening among key groups like Black voters, other people of color, and younger individuals. There is concern about a lack of energy and funding in the state due to the absence of critical statewide races on the ballot and the absence of crises like the early pandemic or racial justice protests that energized voters in 2020.
Despite the worries about Georgia’s political climate, many supporters of Biden remain hopeful and believe that the state still has the potential to play a significant role in the upcoming election. With the first televised debate between Biden and Trump scheduled to take place in Atlanta and efforts by voter registration groups already underway, there is optimism that Georgia can once again be a battleground state. Democrats had made significant gains in recent years by harnessing demographic shifts and mobilizing new voters, particularly in the suburbs of Atlanta. The events of the past few years, including the COVID-19 pandemic and protests over racism and policing, have also played a role in shaping the political landscape in Georgia.
The high level of participation in the 2020 election, which resulted in Biden narrowly winning the state, inspired hope and excitement among voters. However, new voting restrictions passed by Republican state lawmakers in response to Trump’s baseless claims about election fraud have raised concerns about voter suppression, particularly among communities of color. Democrats fear that voter fatigue could impact turnout in the upcoming election, as some 2020 Biden voters have become disillusioned with the administration’s handling of issues like the conflict in Gaza, high housing costs, and student loan debt. However, supporters of Biden argue that the president’s achievements, such as job creation and investments in historically Black colleges, need to be effectively communicated to voters.
To increase enthusiasm and turnout, the Biden campaign plans to deploy high-profile Democrats like Senators Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff to drive up support in Georgia. The campaign will also focus on highlighting Biden’s accomplishments and contrasting his record with that of Trump, who lacks a campaign infrastructure in the state. Efforts are underway to ramp up voter engagement and outreach in Georgia, with organizations like Poder Latinx working to mobilize voters and build momentum leading up to the election. Despite the challenges and uncertainties, there is hope among supporters that Georgia can once again play a pivotal role in shaping the outcome of the election.
