Trump Isn’t on the Ballot in Georgia, But He Could Decide Tuesday’s Races

The Peach State is abuzz with election fever as Georgians head to the polls on Tuesday to decide who will represent their party in the highly competitive Senate and gubernatorial races. Donald Trump’s presence looms large over these contests, casting a long shadow that refuses to dissipate.

In Georgia’s Republican primary for U.S. Senate, two candidates – Reps. Buddy Carter and Mike Collins – are vying for the president’s endorsement, emphasizing their commitment to “America First” policies. This is a familiar refrain in this midterm cycle, where Trump’s influence has been a decisive factor in shaping the party’s trajectory. His endorsement power has taken down incumbents, plucked winners out of crowded special elections, and fueled intra-party spending wars.

Governor Brian Kemp, who has thrown his weight behind former college football coach Derek Dooley in the Senate primary, has had a rocky relationship with Trump himself. In 2020, Kemp contested Trump’s claims of election fraud, which put him at odds with the party’s base. Yet, he remains popular among Georgians, winning re-election against a Trump-endorsed primary challenger in 2022.

The test of Trump’s influence will come in the Republican primary to replace term-limited Kemp as governor. So far, the president has endorsed Lt. Governor Burt Jones, but this endorsement hasn’t been enough to clear the field. Billionaire businessman Rick Jackson is neck and neck with Jones in the polls, and his campaign is openly courting Trump’s base.

Jackson’s approach is noteworthy because he’s not shying away from running in the “Make America Great Again” lane, even without Trump’s backing. This suggests that while the president may have lost some of his luster since leaving office, his ideology remains a potent force within the party.

On the Democratic side, the candidates for governor are also talking about Trump – but in how best to fight his policies. Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms is endorsed by former President Joe Biden and is widely considered the frontrunner in the primary race. Her campaign has released ads calling out Jackson and Jones over their courting of Trump’s favor, underscoring the importance of this issue in Georgia.

As Georgians head to the polls on Tuesday, they’ll be voting not just for candidates but also for a vision of America. Trump’s influence may be waning, but his politics continue to shape the party and its leaders. This raises important questions about the future of American democracy: Can a party that is beholden to a single individual truly represent the interests of its constituents?

The answer lies in Georgia’s election results on Tuesday. Will the Republican Party continue down the path of Trumpism, or will it attempt to chart a new course? And what does this mean for the Democratic Party, which has been eager to capitalize on Trump’s unpopularity? One thing is certain: the outcome of these elections will have far-reaching implications for American politics.

The election also presents an opportunity for Governor Brian Kemp to prove his own staying power in the state. Having ruled out a potential 2028 presidential run, Kemp is likely eyeing a legacy-building moment on Tuesday. If Dooley emerges victorious, it would be a testament to Kemp’s ability to shape the party’s trajectory.

But what about Trump? Will he make an appearance in Georgia on election day, as he has in the past? Or will his influence be felt through proxy endorsements and campaign rallies? One thing is certain: the president’s presence – or absence – will continue to dominate the headlines in Georgia for days to come.

As Georgians head to the polls, they’ll be deciding not just which candidates to support but also what kind of politics they want to see represented in their state. Will it be Trumpism, with its emphasis on border control and America-first policies? Or will it be a more moderate approach that seeks to bridge the partisan divide?

The answer lies in the ballot box, where voters will be choosing between competing visions for Georgia’s future. But one thing is clear: the outcome of these elections will have far-reaching implications for American politics, both in Georgia and beyond.

In the end, it’s not just about Trump – but about what his influence says about the state of the Republican Party. Can it continue to be a party that is beholden to a single individual, or will it attempt to chart a new course? The answer lies in Georgia on Tuesday, where the silence of Trump’s absence will speak volumes about his enduring legacy.