An illustration of Georgia districting.

Credit: Sam Bermas-Dawes, GPB News

The panel: 

Dr. Alan Abramowitz — Emeritus professor of political science, Emory University

Greg Bluestein— Political reporter, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Rahul Bali — Politics reporter, WABE

 

The breakdown: 

1.  The Supreme Court heard an argument in Alabama. Here's why the redrawn maps are important over the border in Georgia. 

  • A lower court ruled last month the state’s new congressional map likely violates the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
    • The New York Times reported the Supreme Court reinstated the maps.
      • But the conservative majority wrote that a lower court’s requirement for a new Alabama map is too close to the 2022 primary dates.
  • In Georgia, District Judge Steve Jones says he could pause a case on redrawing of the 13th and 6th District lines, based on the Supreme Court ruling.
    • Both primaries in Alabama and Georgia are on May 24.

Emory University Professor Alan Abramowitz said the case in Alabama shares similar arguments regarding voting rights and disenfranchisement as the case in Georgia.

 

2. Democrats running statewide outraise GOP opponents.

  • Abrams raised $9.2 million dollars in the past two months.
  • Incumbent Gov. Brian Kemp raised about $2 million less than Abrams in a six-month span.
  • GOP challenger David Perdue raised about one million dollars since December
    • Kemp pressed Perdue to drop out due to lackluster fundraising.
  • Sen. Raphael Warnock raised $9.8 million in the final three months of 2021.
  • Challenger Herschel Walker reported a $5.4 million haul in the fourth quarter, his campaign reported in January.

 

3. Vernon Jones sees endorsement from former President Donald Trump.

  • Jones, a former state lawmaker, dropped out of the race for governor earlier this week and switched over to run for Georgia's 10th Congressional seat.
  • The former president endorsed Jones today.
  • The 10th District borders the Atlanta suburbs and runs all the way to the South Carolina border. 
    • Republican Jody Hice represents the district currently, but is running for Georgia Secretary of State. 
    • Mike Collins is running for the 10th District seat as well. 

WABE politics reporter Rahul Bali said the 10th District race will be an interesting reflection of the Republican electorate and their support for former President Trump.

 

4. Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan criticized a Republican National Committee vote on Jan. 6 violence.

 

Tomorrow on Political Rewind:

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Kevin Riley joins our panel to talk about the Buckhead cityhood movement. 

Tags: Voting Rights  Greg Bluestein  January 6  Secretary of State  Georgia  Georgia Politics  Politics  Geoff Duncan  Kemp  David Perdue