Peach State Politics (May 21, 2021)
Top GOP leaders announce 2022 plans, Reed continues to hint at comeback, wary Dems brace for redistricting, This Week in Washington, a message to the Class of 2021, and more
This week, some of state’s top Republican leaders revealed their plans for 2022: Gov. Brian Kemp and SOS Brad Raffensperger are running for re-election, while LG Geoff Duncan decided to sit on the sidelines. Plus, former Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed is dropping hint after hint that he is considering another run for his old job, and we’ve got the weekly rundown from Washington. Plus, I have some words of encouragement for the Class of 2021. Let’s get started!
Election 2022: Kemp and Raffensperger in, Duncan out
This week, a trio of state Republican leaders announced their plans for 2022. Gov. Brian Kemp and SOS Brad Raffensperger both announced that they will indeed seek re-election next year, while LG Geoff Duncan officially bowed out after news reports indicated that he planned to step aside.
The three men have become pariahs in former President Donald Trump’s inner circle for refusing to side with unsubstantiated claims of fraud in the 2020 election. Duncan in particular has called on his party to adopt a “big tent” strategy, and said in a statement that he was stepping aside to help build a post-Trump GOP.
As for Kemp and Raffensperger, the two are set to face competition in next year’s Republican primary. Former State Rep. Vernon Jones is challenging Kemp, and U.S. Rep. Jody Hice is campaigning against Raffensperger. Trump has endorsed Hice, though he has yet to get involved in the primary for governor.
ATL Mayor 2021: Reed teases comeback
Everyone is waiting patiently to see if former Mayor Kasim Reed will enter the race for his old job, and the former mayor has not kept it a secret that he is eyeing a comeback.
Aside from interviews with local TV stations and apology tours about the City Hall investigations, Reed has also sent out an invitations for a “birthday celebration” on June 10, according to the AJC.
And on Wednesday, he shared a tweet from a sports betting group saying that he is favored to be the next Mayor of Atlanta. “Interesting,” he wrote.
If Reed enters the race, he would join a field that so far includes attorney Sharon Gay, City Council President Felicia Moore and City Councilmen Antonio Brown and Andre Dickens.
Wary Dems brace for redistricting
With Republicans once again at the helm of the redistricting process, Georgia Democrats are bracing for brutal maps that could leave some of their members without any favorable districts.
Democratic strategists are expecting the GA GOP to address their recent losses in the Atlanta suburbs, where Reps. Lucy McBath (GA06) and Carolyn Bourdeaux (GA07) recently flipped districts that were once considered Republican strongholds.
The general consensus seems to be that Republicans will attempt to combine the bluest parts of the two districts into one solidly blue “vote-sink,” but Democrats are bracing for the likelihood of two new solidly Republican districts in north Georgia.
I examine the different possible redistricting scenarios here.
This Week in Washington
Leading off our weekly rundown of news from Washington: President Joe Biden signed a bill aimed at combatting the recent rise in hate crimes targeting the Asian-American community. On that same topic, Georgia’s Republican members of Congress each voted against a measure condemning the recent shootings at metro Atlanta spas. Plus, one of the President’s cabinet secretaries is facing a scandal in his hometown.
All 8 GOP members of Congress from GA oppose Jan. 6 commission, as well as a resolution condemning the recent Atlanta spa shootings
Capitol Police officer anonymously lashes out at GOP congressional leaders over opposition to Jan. 6 commission as House narrowly approves additional security funding
Photo surfaces of GOP Rep. Andrew Clyde barricading doors of the House chamber on Jan. 6 after he compared the insurrectionists to tourists
“An Investigation In Desperate Search Of A Crime”: Former President Donald Trump lashes out at New York criminal investigation into his organization
U.S. Labor Secretary Marty Walsh faces questions about his knowledge of domestic violence allegations against a police commissioner he appointed while Mayor of Boston
Biden praises ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas
House to keep proxy voting rules in place until July
DCCC outraises NRCC in April, blames bad polling and GOP attacks for disappointing 2020 showing
Georgia House Speaker David Ralston (R) meets with GOP congressional leaders to discuss the state’s new election law and the 2022 Senate race
Opposition to “critical race theory” grows
On Thursday, county school boards across Georgia held public hearings on the issue of whether the “critical race theory” should continue to be taught in classrooms.
The decades-old concept examines the impact of slavery and racism on American culture. Opponents of the theory claim that it is divisive, while supporters say that students should learn about the history of racism and its impact on society.
Gov. Brian Kemp spoke out against the concept this week, as did AG Chris Carr. The Cherokee County School Board voted 4-1 to prohibit the critical race theory, and Cobb Superintendent Chris Ragsdale said in a statement that any theory that is not in line with the state curriculum will not be taught in any Cobb County classroom on his watch.
Atlanta to form crime-fighting commission
With crime rates skyrocketing, the Atlanta City Council is now seeking to form a commission to help address public safety.
“The resolution sponsored by Councilmember Joyce Sheperd asks more than 20 public officials from the city, Fulton County and DeKalb County to convene for the next 12 months to create a public safety recommendations report for the mayor and city council.”
The news comes as police officials brace for what they hope is not another violent weekend. Some of the city’s top prosecutors and law enforcement officials have said that it is young people committing most of the crime, and they worry that it could only get worse with summer break and warmer weather quickly approaching.
Congrats to the Class of 2021!
Cap and gown season is officially upon us, so I want to close this week’s newsletter by congratulating all of the 2021 graduates here in Georgia and across the country! I know these are unprecedented times, but I am incredibly proud of each and every one of you for persevering through these tough times for yourselves, your classmates and the entire country.
This may sound a little overwhelming, but the entire world is now yours for the taking. I implore you to create your footprint on the world, no matter which career pathway you choose or where it may take you. Scripture tells us that every life has a purpose, and that each of us has a future full of hope and prosperity. I wish all of you the best of luck as you begin this exciting new chapter of your lives. And always remember that as long as you are making yourself proud, you are doing the right thing.
In closing, I will leave you all with my senior quote from my 2020 high school yearbook:
“The future rewards those who press on. I don’t have time to complain. I’m going to press on.”
- President Obama