The state of Georgia bucked expectations this year when it went blue in the 2020 presidential election for the first time since 1992, but the Peach State isn't done.
On January 5, Georgia will hold two runoff elections to determine the state's Senators. Republicans currently have 50 Senate seats in the impending 117th Congress, while Democrats only hold 48.
If Democrats John Ossoff and Reverend Raphael Warnock defeat incumbent Republican Senators David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler respectively, the Senate will be evenly split with 50 Republicans and 50 Democrats. Any tied votes would be decided by Vice President Kamala Harris, resulting in a functional Senate majority for Democrats.
But outgoing President Donald Trump's continued denial of the presidential election results threatens to throw a wrench in the GOP plan to maintain its Senate majority.
The President has frequently bashed Georgia election officials, especially Republican governor Brian Kemp and Republican secretary of state Brad Raffensperger, claiming that the two recounts in Georgia—both of which reinforced Biden's victory—were insufficient.
Trump's false cries of foul play have led to death threats against Kemp and Raffensperger, while putting Perdue and Loeffler in the unenviable position of bolstering Trump's election fraud lies while also encouraging Republicans to participate in the runoffs.
In a joint statement on Monday, Loeffler and Perdue once again sowed mistrust in Georgia's electoral process:
"It's been one week since the voter registration deadline passed and the Secretary of State has failed to compile and release a final list of newly registered voters. This is totally unacceptable."
What they didn't know—or purposely omitted—is that the newly registered voter totals are already publicly available.
Raffensperger reminded them of this is an unequivocal rebuke.
As embarrassing as it is for Sens. Perdue & Loeffler not to know that the data they want is already publicly available from the Secretary of State, it's even worse that they're not aware their own campaigns already have the data they're looking for. pic.twitter.com/WXsQ24sge1
— GA Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger (@GaSecofState) December 15, 2020
He wrote:
"Though I've told the Republican Party to stop focusing on me and instead direct their energies to winning the Senate runoffs, clearly they haven't listened. As embarrassing as it is for Sens. Perdue and Loeffler not to know that the data they want is already publicly available from the Secretary of State, it's even worse that they're not aware their own campaigns already have the data they're looking for. Early voting has already started but it's not too late for them to call their offices and get their campaigns in order."
People sided with the secretary of state's assessment and the blistering way he relayed it.
I'd like to report a murder https://t.co/YwJVgU2qA4
— Angry Staffer (@Angry_Staffer) December 15, 2020
These folks @SenatorLoeffler @Perduesenate seek to take care of Georgians who are in need of help paying rent? They know about making money in the stock market, but can't find their asses with both hands even though they are both asses all over! https://t.co/htvHfpBnR3
— Peanut (@PeanutsView) December 16, 2020
Then these Unfit Senators should not be re-elected. Vote @ossoff and @ReverendWarnock for new leadership https://t.co/QNXI5Up2YL
— DHB (@dhb_dian) December 15, 2020
Thank you! Yes @Perduesenate and @KLoeffler you are either dumb or playing dumb to continue the false illusion of voter fraud. https://t.co/P27IubY5u6
— Susan Richard (@SusanRi92656881) December 15, 2020
Bottom line:
Loeffler and Perdue are as incompetent and stupid as they are racist.
Vote @ReverendWarnock
and @ossoff https://t.co/8gWz7d9s0v
— Lindsay Graham's Secret (@trump_colon) December 15, 2020
Bottom line:
Loeffler and Perdue are as incompetent and stupid as they are racist.
Vote @ReverendWarnock
and @ossoff https://t.co/8gWz7d9s0v
— Lindsay Graham's Secret (@trump_colon) December 15, 2020
A small faction of Republicans is urging Georgia GOPers not to vote in the Senate election as a way to avenge Trump.
Just a nobody on Twitter but you lost us.
You will lose because the gop did not stand with Trump.
You ruined it.
— @realbobbymercer (@BobbyMe25857753) December 16, 2020
She hasn't looked at it??? @KLoeffler is a RINO and a liar she should stand up for @realDonaldTrump but her allegiance is with @BrianKempGA ALL FRAUDS!!! https://t.co/PVo4DaX4in
— Debra Garrett🇺🇸 (@debragarrett) December 16, 2020
And your top priority is to defend Georgians/Americans and stand for what is right. The Georgia election is full of fraud as the World seen first hand with video evidence. You're a laughing stock to Americans. You writing Trump off like this is shameful and you should resign!
— Ryan O'Connor (@RyanOCo24989379) December 8, 2020
Early voting has already begun in Georgia.
