Staff writers from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution are traveling with the top candidates in the governor’s race and the U.S. Senate campaign through Tuesday’s general election. Here are Saturday’s highlights from the campaign trail:
Jason Carter
Democratic gubernatorial candidate
Where was he? Vidalia; Baxley; Jacksonville, Fla.; and Valdosta
Themes: Seeking support from disaffected voters in South Georgia
What he said: "It matters to me to be outside Atlanta. I have no intention of being the governor of Atlanta. I will be the governor of the whole state of Georgia."
What a voter said: "It just seems like Atlanta gets all the benefits from the governor's office. We have to fight for everything we get down here." — Edna Vaughn of Baxley
Atmosphere: Traveling with his wife and two young sons, Carter was met by small crowds of supporters in Vidalia and Baxley. He dipped briefly into Jacksonville, Fla., to hunt for votes outside the annual UGA-Florida grudge match. Many tailgating partiers greeted him enthusiastically, while those opposed to him were distant but polite. One man wearing a UGA baseball cap walked up to Carter and handed him a Nathan Deal campaign sticker, telling him he would be a good governor, "just not this time."
Follow on Twitter: @JeremyLRedmon
— Jeremy Redmon
Nathan Deal
Republican gubernatorial candidate
Where was he? Lawrenceville, Dunwoody, Gainesville
Themes: The governor urged voters to show up on Tuesday and expressed confidence that he'll avoid a runoff against Democrat Jason Carter.
What he said: "When you make promises you can't fulfill, the only way you can make up the difference is to raise your taxes. And I will not do that. I will never do that."
What a voter said: "I want to support the GOP. If you believe the polls, it's a close race. But I don't believe the polls. He'll win big." — said Ken Duvall, a GOP activist from Gainesville
Atmosphere: The venues were packed with people, partly because it was a Saturday. The governor spoke from a cramped Dunwoody diner as winds howled outside. Later, more than 250 supporters showed up at Gainesville's Civic Center.
Follow on Twitter: @bluestein
— Greg Bluestein
Michelle Nunn
Democratic Senate candidate
Where was she? Atlanta, Albany, Columbus, Atlanta again
Themes: Mobilization. At the first three stops of the day, Nunn rallied supporters who then headed out into neighborhoods to canvass voters. Nunn, herself, worked neighborhoods in Albany and Columbus. Nunn was joined Saturday morning at a Krispy Kreme on the Westside by former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin.
What she said: "This is the time in the election when it doesn't matter what's happening on TV. Where it really matters is in the street and in houses where people are doing phone banking."
What a voter said: "Michelle won't be a typical politician. She's not a partisan warrior. In a state like Georgia we've seen enough partisanship." — George Nwanz, a Morehouse junior studying history and political science
Atmosphere: Energetic and optimistic. With just two more days before the election, Democrats sense they have a shot for the first time in many years.
Follow on Twitter: @asheinin
— Aaron Gould Sheinin
David Perdue
Republican Senate candidate
Where was he? Lawrenceville
Themes: The importance of taking back Republican control of the Senate
What he said: "With your help and the grace of God, we will make sure (Senate Majority Leader) Harry Reid doesn't have one more vote."
What a voter said: "Instantly, I was able to have an honest conversation with him. It wasn't like talking to a politician. He was a real person who cared about me and what I was doing. — Daelen Lowry, 18, Lawrenceville
Atmosphere: Perdue joined a Gwinnett County Republican Party breakfast that highlighted almost the entire GOP slate for state government, including Gov. Nathan Deal and state superintendent of schools hopeful Richard Woods.
Follow on Twitter: @nick4iezos
— Nicholas Fouriezos
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