Georgia Democrats Pleased With Presidential Primary Debate

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A crowd at Georgia Beer Garden in Atlanta watches the Democratic national debate Nov. 20, 2019. / GPB News

While the four moderators and 10 presidential candidates on the debate stage largely eschewed discussion of Georgia issues for a more national view, local Democratic leaders said they are pleased with the overall experience.

The presidential primary debate at Tyler Perry Studios was one of the more robust conversations among the expansive Democratic field, with the two-plus hour debate touching on everything from paid family leave to affordable housing to the role of race and gender in politics. 

Speaking to reporters in the post-debate spin room, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms said she wasn’t concerned there weren’t more Georgia-focused questions and answers. 

“I think so many other issues that we’re talking about nationally impact us directly across the state,” she said. “I was glad to hear the discussion around affordable housing and abortion and so many issues that we’re talking about here locally.” 

In the days leading up to and following the debate, candidates and the national party booked a slew of events and fundraisers catering to the political landscape in Georgia, from a voter suppression panel with former gubernatorial nominee Stacey Abrams to a conversation about college affordability and historically black colleges at Morehouse College with South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg. 

Democratic Party of Georgia Chairwoman and State Sen. Nikema Williams (D-Atlanta) said this was the perfect event to show Georgia is a battleground state, and also that Georgia’s issues are national issues. 

“I am thrilled that we were able to highlight Georgia Democrats all week, but I was even more thrilled to hear a number of questions on voter suppression and what our candidates for president are going to do to combat that from the federal level,” she said. “And I’m thrilled they’re also raising the issue of reproductive justice and abortion access, because it's been so prominent here in the legislature and what we faced here with abortion bans.” 

A federal judge temporarily blocked Georgia’s so-called “heartbeat” abortion law that would outlaw most abortions once fetal cardiac activity is detected, usually around six weeks into pregnancy. 

The next Democratic presidential primary debate is in December.