Georgia congressional and legislative incumbents paraded the halls of the state capitol Monday to kick off Qualifying Week, the week when they must all sign up to put their name on the ballot for the May primary election.
The Peach State is once again set to play a pivotal role in the race for the White House. But voters will also be deciding on races for congressional and legislative seats for the first time since a court-ordered redraw of the state’s political boundaries.
The new maps once again significantly altered the district held by U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath, who on Monday signed up to run for the new 6th district in western metro Atlanta. A previous set of maps forced the Marietta Democrat to challenge a fellow incumbent to claim her current Gwinnett-based district.
And Democratic U.S. Rep. David Scott, ending retirement speculations, qualified to run for re-election in a reconfigured 13th district, which now branches out into the eastern outskirts of the capital city. Scott, with 11 terms under his belt, has ascended to the top of the House Agriculture Committee but has faced growing concerns about his health and effectiveness.
Republican U.S. Rep. Rich McCormick will run for a second term in the new District 7, which largely resembles much of his current North Georgia territory. A wide-open GOP primary is on tap for the 3rd district, which opened up after Rep. Drew Ferguson declined to run for re-election.
Despite playing host to several competitive statewide races in recent years, all of Georgia’s 14 congressional seats are regarded as safe for the current party given the way the maps have been drawn — which means the only real action will unfold in the primary.
Both parties do, however, have their eyes on a handful of competitive state legislative districts in Atlanta’s northern suburbs. Democrats are also aiming to add some new majority-Black seats to their column. But even so, Republicans are widely expected to maintain their statehouse majorities this November.
Qualifying week is known for its last-minute surprises. A contest could attract a surprise candidate, an incumbent could decide to call it quits, or a candidate could jump from one race to another.
The first big surprise of the week came from former Democratic U.S. Rep. John Barrow, who announced his run against Justice Andrew Pinson for a seat on the state supreme court.
In a political climate where abortion rights have become a flashpoint in state races, Barrow says his opponent “cannot be counted on” to protect the rights of women.
Qualifying Week ends Friday at noon.