A look back at a busy week in Georgia
A quick overview of this week's biggest stories in Georgia politics
A largely uncompetitive Georgia presidential primary all but cemented a rematch between Joe Biden and Donald Trump, but it may have highlighted some weaknesses for both leaders.
Trump also saw several big developments this week in his election interference case, and the 2024 state legislative session is hurdling to a finish.
Here’s a look at back at a busy week in Georgia.
1. Presidential primary
Joe Biden and Donald Trump all but cemented their rematch this week with wins in the Georgia presidential primary. However, the easy victories in largely uncompetitive contests also highlighted weaknesses for both leaders as they hurdle toward a tight November race.
Trump captured nearly 85 percent of the vote in the Republican primary. But Nikki Haley, who suspended her campaign but remained on the ballot, still captured more than 77,000 votes. Her particularly strong showing in metro Atlanta and its surrounding suburbs — earning 40 percent in DeKalb, for example — could be a warning sign for the former President ahead of the general election.
“Over 6,000 Georgia Dems cast blank ballots in apparent slap at Biden on Israel”
- AJC, March 14, 2024
Roughly 2 percent of Democrats left their ballots blank in what some left-leaning groups are saying was a protest against President Biden and his support for Israel. It comes as his campaign is attempting to rebuild the young and diverse coalition that elected him four years ago.
In a state where elections can come down to tight margins, the question becomes will the campaigns spend more time seizing on their opponent’s weaknesses or improving upon their own?
2. Judge rules on motion to oust DA Willis
The Fulton County District Attorney’s office can remain on the election interference case against Donald Trump — if Fani Willis or special prosecutor Nathan Wade step aside.
Both Willis and Wade had been accused by the defense of being in a romantic relationship and improperly benefiting from working on the case together.
While he was unable to find any conflict of interest, Judge Scott McAfee’s highly-anticipated order still had stern words for DA Willis, criticizing his one-time boss’ “tremendous lapse in judgment,” along with her “unprofessional manner” at the evidentiary hearing.
Here are other new developments in the Trump case:
Six of 41 charges in election interference case dismissed
Trump, Giuliani, others still face conspiracy charges
DA Willis, Judge McAfee to face challengers in May primary
3. Retirements, redistricting and legislative primaries
The ballot for May’s congressional and legislative primaries has been set, and several contests are being impacted by the departures of longtime incumbents as well as a recent redrawing of political maps.
In the state House, four pairs of lawmakers found themselves sharing a district with a colleague, forcing some of them into early resignations. But state Reps. Saira Draper and Becky Evans are headed for the only contest between incumbents after the two Democrats were drawn into the same Atlanta-area district.
Democrats are eager to unseat Rep. Mesha Mainor of Atlanta, who joined the Republican Party last year after an internal rift with Democratic leadership reached the public.
Because many legislative districts simply aren’t competitive, some longtime members are retiring and leaving behind crowded primaries to succeed them in office: Minority leader Gloria Butler’s retirement has left 5 Democrats to compete for her Stone Mountain seat. Similarly, there are crowded Democratic primaries on deck to succeed state Sens. Horacena Tate of Atlanta and Valencia Seay of Riverdale.
State Sen. Elena Parent, an Atlanta Democrat who is likely to run for minority leader, must first fend off a primary challenge from former Gold Dome veteran Nadine Thomas. Redistricting saw Parent’s DeKalb-based district shift southward into Clayton County, where Thomas lives.
4. Kemp signs prosecutor oversight bill, again
With Gov. Brian Kemp’s signature, Georgia’s controversial panel to investigate local prosecutors will soon start taking action on complaints.
Kemp this week re-signed SB 332, a bill Republicans championed as part of a nationwide effort to crack down on prosecutors who refuse to enforce certain state laws.
Last year’s effort was stymied after the state’s top court blocked the panel from getting to work, citing the lack of urgency to weigh in on the matter.
This year’s version seeks to bypass the justices and allow the panel to begin its work. Critics continue to warn that it could be used to undermine Fulton County DA Fani Willis and her election interference case against Donald Trump.
Legal challenges are expected.
5. Pearson falls short in special election
A Trump-aligned social media sensation fell short a special election runoff this week for an Augusta-area state House seat.
CJ Pearson lost the low-turnout contest to Gary Richardson, a longtime Columbia County official who was seen as the preference of the mainstream guard of the state GOP.
But Pearson has been calling for a hand recount due to what he says are “widespread Dominion voting machine malfunctions.
Rep.-elect Richardson is likely to be sworn in as early as next week but will face off with Pearson again in the May primary election for a full two-year term.
Other stories
State lawmakers honor David Ralston with portrait, school renaming
GOP state senator banned from House floor for criticizing late former speaker
School vouchers on the move after stalling last year
Kemp, state leaders grill Rivian with plans for new EV plant now in doubt
Kemp on Trump: “I’m going to support the nominee”
Legislative session set to end March 28