As opposites go, the two political figures headed to Georgia on Tuesday couldn't be further apart.
The morning brings a visit from U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, one of the most outspoken Democratic opponents of President Donald Trump. She’s headed to a few metro Atlanta stops, along with future U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley, to help Democrat Stacey Abrams’ bid for governor.
The afternoon features a journey from Donald Trump Jr., one of his father’s most vocal supporters, to headline an event with Republican Brian Kemp before addressing a GOP group at the University of Georgia.
Though the two are in town to support candidates for Georgia’s top office, expect the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court to be front-and-center.
Trump Jr. has compared the hearings over Kavanaugh, who was accused of sexual misconduct, to "war" with Democrats. And Warren cast his narrow confirmation as a crystallizing opportunity to "turn our hurt into power."
The visits are a reminder that Georgia's 2018 race has become a staging ground for 2020. Former Attorney General Eric Holder was in town over the weekend – and dropped a hint about his White House aspirations – and U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand followed with a swing through Georgia on Monday.
Other potential Democratic contenders, including Sens. Cory Booker, Kamala Harris and Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, recently trekked to Atlanta to boost Abrams. Vice President Joe Biden was set to appear, too, until a late scheduling conflict.
Kemp, too, has leaned on big names. Vice President Mike Pence is set to visit Thursday – his second appearance for Kemp in less than three months – and he’s hoping for a late visit from the president to rev up his supporters.
Today's events with Pressley and Warren include a 10 a.m. rally at Clayton State University and a phone bank at 11:30 a.m. at a Democratic Party of Georgia campaign field office. A few hours later, Pressley will tour a business incubator, digitalundivided, promoting women of color in the technology industry.
Warren is one of her party's most aggressive critics of President Donald Trump and a potential 2020 candidate for the White House who recently declared she's taking a "hard look" at running for the office.
Pressley, a Boston city councilor, won a stunning upset victory last month over incumbent U.S. Rep. Michael Capuano in a Democratic primary and has fast become a hero among progressives for her promise of urgent activist change.
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