Republican @mtgreenee’s Democratic opponent @KevinVanAusdal just dropped out of the race, citing “personal and family reasons.” I just contacted his spokesman, who has no further comment. #gapol#ga14
No immediate comment from state Democrats - who are surprised by the move - and elections officials about what happens next. Van Ausdal isn’t just dropping out of the race - he’s leaving Georgia. #gapol
"We thank Mr. Van Ausdal for his service and send him our condolences in this difficult time,” said @mf_chambers of @GeorgiaDemocrat party. “We are calling on the Secretary of State to disqualify him from the ballot and allow the DPG to name a replacement as soon as possible."
@mf_chambers@GeorgiaDemocrat Democrats may not have a chance to appoint another person to run in Van Ausdal’s place. Georgia law says that vacancies "created by reason of the withdrawal of a candidate less than 60 days prior to the date of the election shall not be filled.” #gapolajc.com/politics/democ…
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
Just in: A federal judge has struck down Georgia’s congressional and legislative maps, ruling that they violate Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. Georgia lawmakers have until Dec. 8 to draw new lines, setting up a special legislative session. #gapol
The ruling is a victory for Democrats and their allies who challenged the maps, contending they illegally diluted the voting power of Black Georgians. And some Democrats were already lining up to run in GOP-leaning districts that could be redrawn. #gapol ajc.com/politics/why-d…
The decision could result in the election of additional Black representatives next year, with Democrats hoping to gain a seat in the U.S. House, where Republicans currently hold a narrow majority, @markniesse reports. #gapol ajc.com/politics/break…
Brian Kemp on why he’ll back Donald Trump if he wins the GOP nod, even though he tormented the governor for much of the last three years: “Despite all of that, despite all of his other trials and tribulations, he would still be a lot better than Biden." ajc.com/politics/polit…
Kemp also urged hardline Republicans in the U.S. House to “pass the damn bill” to fund the government and avoid a shutdown or risk damaging political backlash. And he endorsed maintaining a robust level of military aid for Ukraine. #gapol ajc.com/politics/polit…
The second-term Republican also discussed his decision not to run for president next year and, for now, downplayed talk of a 2026 bid for U.S. Senate against Democrat Jon @ossoff. #gapol
A judge has just released the full report compiled by a Fulton County special grand jury that laid the groundwork for the election interference indictments last month against Donald Trump and 18 co-defendants. documentcloud.org/documents/2394…
The special grand jury recommended charges be brought against dozens of officials with “respect to the national effort to overturn the 2020 presidential election” — including former U.S. Sens. David Perdue (17-4 vote) and Kelly Loeffler (14-6 vote). #gapol
The special grand jury report also recommended charges be brought against Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, who was a state senator when he served as a fake GOP elector in December 2020.
Georgia House Speaker Jon Burns has some pointed words about a far-right Republican’s fantasy push to impeach Fani Willis in a letter to the GOP caucus.
“Targeting one specific DA in this manner certainly flaunts the idea of separation of powers, if not outright violates it.” 1/
“A select few are calling to defund a duly-elected district attorney of this state and her office in an attempt to interfere with the criminal justice system,” Burns writes of Sen. Colton Moore’s politically impossible call for a special session to oust Willis. #gapol
This is like 2020 all over again as Trump presses Georgia lawmakers to do something that they can’t legally do. Back then, it was overturning the election results. Now it’s calling a special legislative session to oust District Attorney Fani Willis from office. #gapol
Two former Georgia GOP officials charged in the sprawling indictment against Donald Trump and his allies turned themselves in to authorities early Wednesday at the Fulton County Jail. #gapol
Fulton County prosecutors are expected to begin presenting their election interference case against former President Donald Trump and his allies to a grand jury this morning. ajc.com/politics/happe…
District Attorney Fani Willis is likely to pursue racketeering charges against Trump and a host of his allies related to their work to overturn the results of Georgia’s last presidential election. She could announce as soon as Tuesday. #gapol ajc.com/politics/happe…
The scene outside the Fulton County courthouse right now … #gapol