Peach State Politics (March 5, 2021)
GA GOP voting bills pass, McCormick laying groundwork for 2022 rematch, Dem State Senator planning to run for AG, This Week in Washington, and more
GA GOP voting bills pass
The Georgia Legislature continues to move forward with several Republican-backed bills aiming to limit access to early and absentee voting. On Monday, the Georgia House of Representatives passed H.B. 531, a 66-page bill that would require absentee voters to submit photo identification when requesting a ballot, limit access to ballot drop boxes and move up the deadline to request an absentee ballot to 11 days before election day. The bill passed by a vote of 97-72, straight down party lines. It will now move to the Senate, which is currently considering a bill that would end no-excuse absentee voting. Republican Gov. Brian Kemp, who is gearing up for what is expected to be an increasingly competitive battle for re-election, has yet to say whether he will sign or veto these bills. Election lawyers have threatened to file lawsuits if he does sign them.
McCormick laying groundwork for 2022 rematch in GA07
Emergency room physician Rich McCormick, the 2020 Republican nominee in Georgia’s Gwinnett-anchored 7th District, seems to be taking steps towards running for the seat again in 2022. McCormick, who lost to Democrat Carolyn Bourdeaux in last November’s election, told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution this week that he is continuing to raise money and is speaking at local gatherings around the district. He has also been attacking Bourdeaux on Twitter.
However, McCormick may have to wait a few months before making an announcement: the decennial redistricting process, when politicians redraw the state’s congressional and legislative boundaries, is being delayed this year because the census data used to draw the maps has not been released yet due to COVID-19.
Dem State Senator planning to run for Attorney General
Speaking of 2022: A prominent Democratic State Senator could soon join the race to be Georgia’s top law enforcement official. Multiple sources have confirmed that State Sen. Jen Jordan (D-Atlanta) is quietly taking steps towards launching a campaign for Attorney General, and has reportedly told allies that an announcement could come at the end of the 40-day legislative session.
Jordan, an Atlanta lawyer, was first elected to the Georgia Senate in a 2017 special election and currently serves as the 2nd Vice Chair of the Senate Democratic Caucus. She has been a leading voice against abortion bans, voting restrictions and harmful gas emissions at a Cobb County sterilization plant.
While Jordan will surely be a high-profile candidate, she will not have the field to herself. 2018 Democratic nominee Charlie Bailey kicked off his campaign for a rematch in January and entered the race with several prominent endorsements, including Rep. Lucy McBath and former Gov. Roy Barnes. Both Jordan and Bailey are alumni of Barnes’ law firm.
This Week in Washington
I’m proud to introduce a new segment of Peach State Politics called “This Week in Washington.” This segment will be solely dedicated to key votes, events and hearings that take place each week in our nation’s capital. So, without further ado, let’s take a look at what happened this week in Washington:
President Joe Biden struck a deal with moderate Democratic Senators to limit eligibility for stimulus checks
Vice President Kamala Harris broke a Senate tie on Thursday to begin debate on the stimulus bill
Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) forced the 628-page stimulus bill to be read aloud on the Senate floor in its entirety late Thursday night, delaying the start of debate
Neera Tanden withdrew her nomination to lead the Office of Management & Budget after Senators raised questions about her past comments on Twitter
Both of Georgia’s new Senators have scored chairmanships on Senate subcommittees
House lawmakers narrowly passed police reform and voting rights legislation on Wednesday
Thursday’s House session was scrapped after intelligence officials warned of more threats of violence
“Federal investigators are examining communications between U.S. lawmakers and Capitol rioters” (CNN)
“Sen. Jon Ossoff, FBI director address violent crime in Atlanta, across U.S.” (11Alive)
Capitol Police have requested a 2-month extension on National Guard protection
“Smile, Porch Pirates. Time for your mugshot!”
By now, you have probably seen one or several home security videos of packages being stolen from someone’s porch, such as this one. These trespassers, commonly referred to as “Porch Pirates,” could soon find themselves facing tough punishments in Georgia.
Under H.B. 94, which was authored by State Rep. Bonnie Rich (R-Suwanee), people who are caught stealing packages will be charged with a felony and could face up to five years in prison if convicted. The bill cleared a major hurdle this week, passing the House by a vote of 101-67. Rich has said that the legislation would “protect hard-working and law-abiding Georgians in their own home.”
But some critics, like State Rep. Josh McLaurin (D-Atlanta), say that the punishment is too large for this type of crime. McLaurin said in a tweet that he voted against the bill because of what he calls “excessive criminal penalties.”
The bill will now move to the Senate for consideration and a final vote.
Atlanta leaders urge caution ahead of NBA All Star Weekend
As basketball fans descend on Atlanta for the NBA’s annual All Star Weekend, city officials are urging residents to take caution and enjoy the game from their own homes if possible. Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, citing COVID-19 concerns, is telling fans to stay out of the city. And the Atlanta Police Department, which is still reeling from a violent weekend, is telling its officers that they will be working 12-hour shifts this weekend. They are also warning those who engage in criminal activity: “If you come here and choose to get involved in gun violence or other serious criminal activity, please plan to stay as you will be residing to the Fulton County jail,” warned Atlanta’s Deputy Police Chief.
But basketball fans are still moving forward with plans to travel to Atlanta for Sunday’s game. While the NBA itself will not be hosting any large events for fans, city officials worry that an influx of out-of-state visitors could lead to another resurgence in COVID-19 cases.
Kemp not ready to ease COVID-19 measures — yet
Gov. Brian Kemp signaled this week that he will not be rolling back Georgia’s COVID-19 restrictions any time soon. The Republican said in his Wednesday press conference that Georgians can’t let their guard down, but he did say that he thinks we’re starting to “see the light at the end of the tunnel.” This comes after Republican governors in Texas and Mississippi rolled back mask requirements and said that all businesses can reopen at full capacity, a move that was criticized by President Biden and members of his COVID-19 task force.
Kemp also announced on Wednesday that the state will be opening an additional 5 mass vaccination sites, including one in Savannah. Georgia, which lags far behind the rest of the country in vaccination rates, is set to begin vaccinating teachers next week as part of a push to get students back into classrooms.
Greene draws Dem challengers
Controversial Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA14), who was recently stripped of her committee assignments, has so far drawn two Democratic challengers for her Northwest Georgia House seat. Insurance agency owner Holly McCormack launched her campaign last week, saying in her announcement video that the American dream is “out of reach” for the people of Northwest Georgia. Greene was not mentioned by name in McCormack’s video.
Army veteran Marcus Flowers joined the race this week, criticizing Greene’s beliefs and the January 6 insurrection on the Capitol. ”Her twisted conspiracy theories may have made her famous, but they haven't done a damn thing to help the people in our district,” Flowers said in his announcement video. “Now I’m running for Congress because Georgians deserve better.”
Though Greene remains very controversial, both of these Democrats will face daunting odds in this solidly Republican district. In the last three presidential elections, the 14th District has given the Republican nominee more than 70% of the vote each time.
Loeffler sells WNBA team
Finally, former Sen. Kelly Loeffler has sold her share of Atlanta’s WNBA team, the Atlanta Dream. Talks of selling the team had been going on for a while, though they quickly escalated after Loeffler began criticizing the Black Lives Matter movement during her campaign for U.S. Senate. At one point, players were so frustrated with Loeffler that they walked onto the basketball court wearing t-shirts saying “Vote Warnock,” in support of Loeffler’s Democratic opponent.
Renee Montgomery, a former guard on the Dream, is part of the team’s new ownership committee, becoming the first former WNBA player to own a franchise. The 34-year-old chose to sit out the 2020 season in order to focus on social justice reform.