A far-right faction that has gained clout in the Georgia GOP wants to give the state party new powers to block candidates from qualifying to run as Republicans if they’re deemed to be insufficiently conservative or a “traitor” to the party. #gapolajc.com/politics/polit…
“If the candidate has shown himself to be a traitor to the principles of the party, then the party can vote to exclude him from qualifying at the next election.” A proposed Georgia GOP rule change would have big implications. #gapolajc.com/politics/polit…
“We can’t laugh it off.” The GRA used to be a fringe group, but with its growing clout within a diminished Georgia GOP, proposals like a rule change to snuff out Republican “traitors” can’t be readily dismissed anymore. A former GOP legislator suggests a countermeasure: #gapol
“The GRA is a cult masquerading as a movement,” says former Georgia GOP chair John Watson. “Delegates to the state convention should be wary of unlabeled ‘juice’ made in barrels when heading to Columbus” for the June convention. #gapolajc.com/politics/polit…
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
In exclusive interviews, five of the 23 special grand jurors recounted to @TamarHallerman & @ajccourts what it was like to be a pivotal — but anonymous — part of an investigation that could lead to criminal charges against Trump and his allies. #gapolajc.com/politics/exclu…
They divulged that they had heard a recording of a phone call Trump placed to late House Speaker David Ralston in which the president asked the fellow Republican to convene a special session of the legislature to overturn Biden’s narrow victory. #gapolajc.com/politics/exclu…
Former Sen. David Perdue was asked by the grand jurors about a meeting at Truist Park in December 2020, during which he told Gov. Brian Kemp he wanted the legislature to convene a special session to challenge Biden’s victory. #gapolajc.com/politics/exclu…
Not surprisingly, Warnock has a huge early vote advantage as some counties begin to report their totals from the week of early-voting + mail ballots. We are closely watching how Walker does re: Election Day voting — and whether he outdoes his November tally. #gapol#gasen
“Get your coffee,” says a Republican strategist as more exurban and rural rallies come in — and the Democrat’s edge tightens. #gapol#gasen
Walker is underperforming in some small, rural counties so far -- obv a good sign for Warnock. We won't really have a clear look until more metro ATL votes come in -- particularly the Democratic stronghold of DeKalb, Warnock's best path to victory. #gapol
Vince Todd arrived at his Atlanta polling site just before 7 and was about 50th in line.
“I wanted to see who I wanted in there: Warnock,” Todd told @bycassidy. “I believe in him, so I gotta get out there.”
By 7:25 a.m., he walked out with his prized voter sticker. #gapol#gasen
Ellyce Payne said addressing poverty and mental health care are the deciding issues for her as she cast her ballot in Cobb. She told @taylor_rcroft she worries about deep partisan rifts. “I’m more focused on who you are as a person and your impact on the community.” #gapol#gasen
Jeffrey Farek and Katie Luquire say voting is something they can do about issues like gun control and women’s rights.
“You try to do what you can and a lot of times it feels like it’s hard to know how to help or to feel like you’re being heard,” Farek told @bycassidy. #gasen
Herschel Walker’s final runoff eve rally is at the Governors Gun Club, the nation’s largest indoor shooting facility. Ralph Reed, the prominent evangelical leader, kicks off the event drawing boos from the crowd with each mention of Biden’s name and Warnock’s votes. #gapol#gasen
In a departure from the norm, Herschel’s wife Julie opens for the Republican. Then came the candidate, who said he would use his campaign bus tomorrow to shuttle people to the polls. (I can’t tell if he’s kidding.) #gapol#gasen
Walker: “A house divided cannot stand. We got to start standing now. We have to get in the game and get out to vote. I’m telling you to vote, vote, vote and flood the polls … I’m not going to sleep tonight, because before a big game, I don’t sleep.” #gapol#gasen
Gov. Kemp makes an argument that Herschel Walker has struggled to land: That the Inflation Reduction Act that Warnock supported “is hurting” the enormous Hyundai EV plant that’s under construction now near Savannah. #gapol#gasen
Kemp’s referring to a provision that requires all EVs to undergo final assembly in North America to qualify for lucrative incentives. Since Hyundai’s factory won’t be operational until 2025, the automaker’s customers could lose out on the break. #gasenajc.com/politics/polit…
Walker, meanwhile, has panned the EV industry and promoted “gas guzzling” cars as he rails against federal efforts to curb climate change. #gapol#gasen