U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar set out plans Friday to meet with some of Georgia’s most prominent Democrats, hold a discussion on voting rights and raise cash for her bid for president during her swing through Georgia.
The Minnesota Democrat’s agenda included a meeting with former President Jimmy Carter and Stacey Abrams, plus what her campaign described as a closed-door round table with local leaders and activists to talk about ballot access issues.
The last stop on her itinerary was a fundraiser at the home of Gordon Giffin, a former U.S. ambassador, with ex-Gov. Roy Barnes and other prominent Democrats serving as hosts. Tickets cost donors $1,000 to attend and $5,600 to co-host.
Klobuchar, who announced her bid this month in a driving snowstorm, is the second Democratic presidential candidate to visit Georgia since formally entering the race.
U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts held a rally in Gwinnett County on Saturday, followed by a private dinner in downtown Atlanta with Abrams.
Earlier this week, some Democrats bristled that it appeared Klobuchar was snubbing Abrams, who became a national political figure last year during her campaign for governor.
Abrams’ top aide, Lauren Groh-Wargo, said Wednesday that the two politicians planned to meet and that Abrams will huddle with any Democratic candidate who asks.
Long little more than a fundraising stop for White House contenders, Georgia was not seriously contested by Democrats over the past few presidential cycles. But last year’s narrow elections, coupled with Republican defeats across the Atlanta suburbs, have energized state Democrats.
Just about every presidential hopeful visited Georgia last year to stump with Abrams — and lay the groundwork for their campaigns — as Democrats ready to compete for the state’s 16 electoral votes in 2020.
Stay on top of what’s happening in Georgia government and politics at ajc.com/news/georgia-government/.
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