Political Rewind: Weeks away from 2022 primary, polls give glimpse into political fortunes

Credit: Sam Bermas-Dawes, GPB News

The panel:

Dr. Amy Steigerwalt — Professor of political science, Georgia State University

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

Dr. Adrienne Jones — Professor of political science and director of pre-law, Morehouse College

Jim Galloway — Former political columnist, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The breakdown:

1. Polling reveals fortunes of 2022 races, including incumbent Gov. Brian Kemp's high approval. Many GOP races may be headed to runoffs.

• A new poll from by Landmark Communications and CBS 46 shows Kemp with a substantial lead in the primary and high job approval ratings.
  • The polling group found 52% of voters surveyed said they support the incumbent governor's bid for reelection.
    • Former Sen. David Perdue, Kemp's nearest challenger, saw nearly 28% support in the poll.
  • Around 10% were undecided.

2. National polling reveals a grim outlook for Democrats as Biden sees low approval numbers.

• In a recent Quinnipiac Poll, only 33% approved of the way President Joe Biden is handling his job.
  • 54% disapproved with 13% not offering an opinion.

3. Georgia joins immigration lawsuit against the Biden administration over Trump-era immigration rule.

• State Attorney General Chris Carr joined a lawsuit against the Biden administration's decision to lift Title 42. 
• Title 42 is a policy from the Donald Trump presidency that allows the government to quickly expel immigrants to the Mexico border for public health. 
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said normal migration is safe in the current stage of the COVID-19 pandemic 

• U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock criticized Biden's decision to lift Title 42 and drew criticism from immigration rights' groups.

Tomorrow on Political Rewind:

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Tamar Hallerman joins our panel.