Georgia
Related: About this forumHow Laelth Voted in the 2014 Georgia Democratic Primary (and the results).
This could be a really good year. It's not too often that every person for whom I vote wins. This time, I got most of my picks. Here's how I voted (on the major races) and who won this year:
Governor of Georgia: Jason Carter won and will face Nathan Deal (Incumbent - R).
United States Senate: Michelle Nunn won and will face either David Purdue or another Republican selected in a July run-off for Saxby Chambliss' (Incumbent - R, retiring) seat.
United States House of Representatives - District 2: Sanford Bishop (Incumbent - D) won in a safe Democratic District and will face only token opposition in November. Bishop is a blue dog, but also a team player. The President knows that he can get a vote from Bishop when he really needs it.
State Senate - District 26: David Lucas (Incumbent - D) beat back a challenge from moderate Democrat Miriam Paris. Lucas is one of the most reliably liberal votes in the Georgia Senate. Lucas will face a Republican in November, but it is likely that Lucas will hold the seat.
State House - District 143: James Beverly (Incumbent - D), a neighbor of mine, beat back a challenge from former City Council Member Lonzy Edwards. Beverly is quietly making his way up the ranks of the Democratic leadership in the House. Beverly will face no Republican opposition in November in this absolutely-rock-solid Democratic District. Beverly has publicly endorsed the complete legalization of cannabis.
I voted for all of those honorable people. My Mayor is already a Democrat, my County Commissioner is a Democrat, and my Sheriff is a Democrat (and a real one at that). In fact, one can't win a county-wide office these days in Bibb County unless one runs as a Democrat.
If Carter and Nunn win (along with the others on this list whom I am fairly certain will win), Johnny Isakson will be the only Republican representing me in government at any level. I mention this, primarily, to show those who are unfamiliar with Georgia that this state is ...
[font color=purple size=5]... not as red as you think[/font].
That's good news for us all.
-Laelth
japple
(10,355 posts)"...one can't win a county-wide office these days in Bibb County unless one runs as a Democrat." I lived in Macon for many years and it was VERY conservative. So happy to see that the tide is turning.
Laelth
(32,017 posts)While Macon was socially conservative for a long time, that has changed dramatically over the past couple of decades. From what I can tell, the newer generations are quite liberal regarding social issues. Macon has always been a city. In fact, it was a planned city, and, like most cities, Macon is pretty liberal on economic issues.
Although it's in the middle of a ferocious forest (causing serious allergy problems for most people), and while the air is pretty bad (mostly due to a large paper mill), Macon has some of the best water in the United States, and it is now, without question, a Democratic stronghold in Georgia. It's also becoming more liberal, politically, year after year.
Macon is my home, and I love it, but I still see room for improvement.
-Laelth
groundloop
(12,308 posts)My county is one of the reddest in the country, it gets kind of old after a while.
Laelth
(32,017 posts)I hear you on the redness getting old. My hope is that it's getting old for your neighbors too.
-Laelth
japple
(10,355 posts)red, red, red up here, too.
Laelth
(32,017 posts)Sadly, I think it would take a national gestalt to turn Gordon County blue, but your vote still matters in the state-wide and national races, so I am glad that you're here, on DU, and I encourage you to 1) vote regularly, 2) talk about politics with your neighbors (as uncomfortable as that may be), and 3) drive at least one other person to the polls with you when you vote.
If all of us do the three things I list above, we can make a difference.
Cheers!
-Laelth
japple
(10,355 posts)but many of us are strong Dems and do our best. I can talk politics with many of my neighbors as they are relatives and friends, even though I know they are of a different political persuasion. We are very civil. I'm, however, a little uncomfortable talking to strangers or going into parts of the county where I don't know anyone to discuss political matters. There are still people in this area who wear sheets.
bench scientist
(1,107 posts)I'm really glad that lunatic Paul Broun was sent packing-no longer a US Rep and his US Senate hopes are dead!
Hopefully the 9 week long run-off will allow Perdue and Kingston will spend all their $ ,and piss off the electorate so Michelle Nunn can win in Nov.
Still GA got a ways to go before we are blue -Athens just reelected a republican mayor! ( a moderate) and Athens is pretty liberal.
Still here's to hoping and hardwork
bench
RebelOne
(30,947 posts)I live in Woodstock in Cherokee County. This county is so red that it glows. No chance of it turning even slightly blue in the near future.
Laelth
(32,017 posts)But look at Gwinnett. It was solid red from 1986-1990 when I was in college. Now, it's mostly blue. As Atlanta grows, it's suburban counties will continue to trend towards sanity, so don't give up hope yet.
-Laelth