Democrats fear Kemp could slow-walk election to replace David Scott
Today’s newsletter highlights:
- John King says Rick Jackson earned his endorsement with a simple act.
- Georgia’s drought worsens as 20 more counties land on the state’s primary natural disaster list.
- King Charles III is set to address a joint session of Congress on Tuesday.
Seat on hold
Gov. Brian Kemp has not yet set a special election for the deep-blue congressional district held by the late U.S. Rep. David Scott. But Democrats are already worried he could wait as long as possible.
State law gives Kemp little room to maneuver. When a vacancy occurs in a U.S. House seat in Georgia, the governor must call the special election within the next 10 days. Whoever wins will fill the rest of Scott’s unexpired term.
But the statute gives him more flexibility on the election date itself. Officials say it could be held in September or even November.
Democratic Party of Georgia Chair Charlie Bailey said he hopes Kemp remembers “those hard-working Georgians deserve to have a voice in Congress.”
“But I wasn’t born yesterday. And I would imagine the orders from D.C. are: sit on it,” Bailey said. “I don’t know that. I have no idea. Republicans don’t tend to clue me in. But I would wager a good bit of money that the order has come down.”
Scott’s death leaves Georgia’s 13th Congressional District without representation at a moment when every seat matters in the closely divided House. Republicans cling to a narrow majority, and the vacancy slightly widens the gap in a chamber where Speaker Mike Johnson can afford few defections. Bailey knows that, too.
“But I would hope that Gov. Kemp remembers that he’s not the governor for Donald Trump. He’s not the governor for Mike Johnson,” Bailey said.
Scott, who will lie in state Friday at the Georgia Capitol, will still be on the May 19 ballot because it is too late to remove his name. But signs will be placed in polls to inform voters of his death, and votes for him will not count.
Things to know
Good morning! Here are three things to know for today.
- Democrats and Republicans running for governor faced off in a pair of televised debates on Monday. Greg Bluestein reports it’s likely the last time the candidates will meet on stage ahead of the May 19 primary.
- The body of U.S. Rep. David Scott, who died last week, will lie in state at the Georgia Capitol on Friday, the AJC’s Riley Bunch reports.
- Unlike most states, Georgia’s lieutenant governor has real power. It’s one reason why so many state lawmakers are vying for the position this year, the AJC’s David Wickert reports.
Voting surge
In 2018, the last time we had a midterm election during a Trump presidency, 9,266 Georgians cast ballots on the first day of in-person early voting. This year? It was 35,352.
That’s a 281% increase. It’s also a 29% increase from 2022, when 27,298 people cast ballots on the first day of early voting.
“This record-breaking turnout is proof that Georgians trust our election process” Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said.
In addition to in-person voting, the state accepted 1,732 absentee ballots.
To find your polling place, check out the secretary of state’s website. You can also keep track of voter turnout data.
Ask and receive
Gubernatorial candidate Rick Jackson earned Insurance Commissioner John King’s endorsement in the Republican primary with a simple act.
“He asked me for my support; no one else did,” King said last week in Waycross following a press briefing related to South Georgia’s wildfires. “In my world, that matters.”
Jackson has also impressed King with his insights on how to fix health insurance issues. King’s office has led the transition to a state-managed Affordable Care Act marketplace, and King sought out Jackson for his experience and expertise in running a healthcare company specializing in staffing.
King surprised many earlier this month when he backed Jackson, who’s never held public office, over fellow state government colleagues Attorney General Chris Carr, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger.
Early voting in the May primary started Monday.
Drying times
Georgia’s in a drought, and things are getting worse.
Monday, Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper added 20 more counties as primary natural disaster areas. That brings the total to 146 counties. Georgia only has 159.
Also on Monday, state officials issued a “Level 1” drought declaration. The AJC’s Drew Kann reports it’s “the first lever Georgia can pull in response to a drought.” Georgia hasn’t placed limits on water uses in a decade. But this is the first step in that direction.
Meanwhile, wildfires continue to burn in South Georgia. On Tuesday, Kemp will travel to Clinch and Echols counties to view damage from the Pineland Road fire. He’ll be joined by first lady Marty Kemp; Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency Director Josh Lamb; Georgia State Forester Johnny Sabo; and Gen. Dwayne Wilson of the Georgia National Guard.
Listen up
Tuesday on the “Politically Georgia” podcast, former state Sen. Jason Carter joins the show to talk about the Democratic race for governor and Trump’s influence in Georgia. Then, Republican John Cowan discusses his campaign for Georgia’s 11th Congressional District.
You can listen and subscribe to “Politically Georgia” for free on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
Have a question or comment for the show? Email us at politicallygeorgia@ajc.com or give us a call at 770-810-5297 and you could be featured on a future episode.
Today in Washington
- President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump will host King Charles III and Queen Camilla for a second day at the White House, including a state dinner.
- King Charles will address a joint session of Congress.
- The Senate will vote on more Trump nominations and could begin the process for approving a three-year extension of the foreign surveillance law.
Fire response: Pray
U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock was in Brantley County on Monday night to tour the damage caused by multiple wildfires that continue to spread in the drought-stricken area.
The senator, who is also the senior pastor at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, paused at one point to pray with first responders on the scene. He later said he plans to work in Washington to secure disaster recovery funds and grants to help the state prepare for and respond to wildfires in the future.
“Georgians who have lost their homes need to know that the folks who are elected to represent them haven’t forgotten about them, that we’re thinking about them and doing everything we can in Washington to deliver resources,” Warnock said.
The wildfires are burning as Georgia experiences its worst drought since 2007.
Shoutouts
Today’s birthday:
- State Rep. Matt Barton, R-Calhoun.
Transition:
- Megan Mercer is joining Dentons as a lobbyist. She is a former aide to U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and last year was named a rising star lobbyist by James magazine.
Want a birthday shoutout in the Politically Georgia newsletter? There’s a form for that. It’s not just birthdays. We’re also interested in new jobs, engagements, birth announcements, etc.
Before you go
King Charles III of Britain is set to address a joint session of Congress on Tuesday and meet with Trump at the White House.
That’ll do it for us today. As always, you can send your best scoops, gossip and insider information to greg.bluestein@ajc.com, tia.mitchell@ajc.com, patricia.murphy@ajc.com and adam.beam@ajc.com.
About the Authors
Greg Bluestein is the Atlanta Journal Constitution's chief political reporter. He is also an author, TV analyst and co-host of the Politically Georgia podcast.
Tia Mitchell is the AJC’s Washington Bureau Chief and a co-host of the "Politically Georgia" podcast. She writes about Georgia’s congressional delegation, campaigns, elections and the impact that decisions made in D.C. have on residents of the Peach State.
Patricia Murphy is the AJC's senior political columnist. She was previously a nationally syndicated columnist for CQ Roll Call, national political reporter for the Daily Beast and Politics Daily, and wrote for The Washington Post and Garden & Gun. She graduated from Vanderbilt and holds a master’s degree in journalism from Columbia University.
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