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Georgia is transformed.
And this is not just happening in *federal* elections & policy.
Yes, the state is run by the GOP, still. But locally, just since Nov., there've been huge flips & changes toward Dems in general & toward progressive policy in particular.
Some examples.
https://twitter.com/ossoff/status/1351967310505005057
And this is not just happening in *federal* elections & policy.
Yes, the state is run by the GOP, still. But locally, just since Nov., there've been huge flips & changes toward Dems in general & toward progressive policy in particular.
Some examples.
https://twitter.com/ossoff/status/1351967310505005057
Gwinnett & Cobb counties, populous suburbs of Atlanta, were long conservative bastions — & known for very anti-immigrant policies.
Two black Dems flipped both sheriffs' offices in November away from longtime GOP sheriffs.
And both VERY quickly ended ICE contracts this month.
Two black Dems flipped both sheriffs' offices in November away from longtime GOP sheriffs.
And both VERY quickly ended ICE contracts this month.
Cobb & Gwinnett are important for 2 reasons: partisan shift at top of ticket also applied to local offices.
*And* these Dems ran on big meaningful transformations like ending ICE contracts, *&* kept their words.
That wasn't obvious at all. Took work. ( https://theappeal.org/politicalreport/georgia-activism-immigration/)
*And* these Dems ran on big meaningful transformations like ending ICE contracts, *&* kept their words.
That wasn't obvious at all. Took work. ( https://theappeal.org/politicalreport/georgia-activism-immigration/)
Take Athens: the Dems sheriff here had also helpd ICE. (Not at all as much as GOP of Cobb & Gwinnett, but still.) Biggest donor was bail industry.
But in 2020 primary, he was ousted by a progressive who ran on not helping ICE, not taking money from bail. https://theappeal.org/politicalreport/georgia-sheriff-who-cooperated-with-ice-loses-re-election-bid/
But in 2020 primary, he was ousted by a progressive who ran on not helping ICE, not taking money from bail. https://theappeal.org/politicalreport/georgia-sheriff-who-cooperated-with-ice-loses-re-election-bid/
Also Athens: a DA timed his resignation for his deputy DA to get an advantage & suceed him.
Instead, a reformer & progressive won the DA race.
And rolled out reforms this month: no death penalty, no marijuana prosecution, probation reform. https://theappeal.org/politicalreport/athens-georgia-probation-reform/
Instead, a reformer & progressive won the DA race.
And rolled out reforms this month: no death penalty, no marijuana prosecution, probation reform. https://theappeal.org/politicalreport/athens-georgia-probation-reform/
Coda: check out @elihday’s story on the Southern populism anchored in multiracial organizing that changed Georgia: https://prospect.org/politics/that-old-time-southern-populism-georgia-democratic-victory/
