Former Federal Prosecutor Ed Tarver Enters US Senate Special Election Race

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Former U.S. District Attorney Ed Tarver announced his run for U.S. Senate.

Ed Tarver, the first African American U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia and former state lawmaker, has officially launched his campaign for U.S. Senate for the seat currently held by Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler.

In a campaign video, Tarver touted his work "for all Georgians without regard to racial, religious, or cultural differences" while also targeting disparities and inequalities in the criminal justice system.

https://youtu.be/Rbn3Om3lOIg

The Democrat also served as a state senator representing the Augusta area before being appointed by former President Barack Obama to the U.S. Attorney position.

"We must promote collegiality, collaboration and bipartisanship throughout all segments of our nation’s government," Tarver said on his campaign website. "Never again should we hide behind the superficial comfort derived from the denial of human decency or of any right granted by our Constitution."

Tarver's entry into the race comes after state and national Democratic leadership coalesced support for another candidate, Ebenezer Baptist Church pastor Rev. Raphael Warnock. Matt Lieberman, son of former U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman (D-Conn.), is the other Democrat in the race and reported bringing in $702,000 with $370,000 cash on hand at the end of 2019.

There's a growing field angling to hold Georgia's junior Senate seat. Since Loeffler was appointed by Gov. Brian Kemp, she must run in a special election in November and face all challengers, regardless of party. In addition to the three major Democrats running, Loeffler faces a bruising intraparty fight from Rep. Doug Collins (R-Gainesville), who has already launched constant attacks against the megadonor and political newcomer.

Georgia law dictates the top two vote-getters regardless of party head to a January runoff if nobody gets above 50%.