Politics
Trump favorite loses in Georgia, but Republicans still poised to win big in the midterms
As expected, Kemp ultimately defeated former U.S. Sen. David Perdue – Trump’s pick – by 73% to 22%, according to exit polling by Edison Research
May 25, 2022 2:21pm
Updated: May 25, 2022 2:25pm
Although Georgia Republicans dealt former President Donald Trump an electoral blow ahead of the midterm elections, the GOP is still favored to win at least one chamber of Congress in the Nov. 8 elections.
On Tuesday, voters in the Peach State chose to reelect Governor Brian Kemp and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, despite Trump’s efforts to oust them from office after the two refused to overturn the 2020 election, Reuters reported.
As expected, Kemp ultimately defeated former U.S. Sen. David Perdue – Trump’s pick – by 73% to 22%, according to exit polling by Edison Research.
Next, Kemp will face Stacey Abrams, a leftist voting-rights activist who secured the Democratic nomination on Tuesday, in November. In his victory speech, Kemp warned voters about Abrams’ far-left platform and presidential aspirations before saying, “our battle is far from over.”
"Tonight, the fight for the soul of our state begins to make sure that Stacey Abrams is not going to be our governor or the next president,” he added.
Raffensperger’s victory over Trump-endorsed U.S. Rep. Jody Hice, on the other hand, came as somewhat of a surprise as polls suggested a tight race in which neither candidate would secure a majority. With 96% of the votes counted, however, Edison Research projected that Raffensperger won the race 52% to 34%.
Raffensperger had been widely seen as a “dead man walking” due to Trump’s attacks, but conservative commentator Erick Erickson said his victory was “the big tip-off” in Georgia that Republicans are tired of re-litigating 2020.
"Georgia Republicans do like Trump, but they're tired of his bullshit and want to move on," Erickson wrote on Twitter.
But as the country continues to fall into social and economic turmoil, polls have indicated that Republicans are set to win big in November. Furthermore, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Tuesday, Biden’s approval rating hit 36% -- the lowest of his presidency thus far.
Since leaving office, former President Trump has made more than 190 endorsements and the results, thus far, have been mixed. Four other states - Alabama, Texas, Arkansas and Minnesota - also held primary elections on Tuesday.
