Political Rewind: Eve of primary election sees Georgia candidates make final pitch to voters

Caption

Republican Senate candidate Herschel Walker during a campaign stop at the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in Macon on May 18, 2022.

Credit: Grant Blankenship, GPB news

The panel: 

Patricia Murphy — Political reporter and columnist, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Chauncey Alcorn — Reporter, Capital B

Chuck Williams — Reporter, WRBL-TV Columbus

Adam Van Brimmer — Editorial page editor, Savannah Morning News

The breakdown: 

1. Candidates and voters prepare to head to the polls for Tuesday's primary election.

• Early voting numbers broke records statewide, according to the secretary of state's office.
• Donald Trump is holding a virtual rally for David Perdue on Monday evening, just before the primaries.

• A number of voters who previously voted Democrat are taking Republican ballots to try to knock Trump-like candidates out of the primaries. 

2. David Perdue continues to lag behind Gov. Brian Kemp in gubernatorial primary polling. 

• During a campaign event, Perdue said he is confident he will win the election without a runoff. 
  • But polls show that Kemp is likely to win the Republican ticket without a runoff. 
• Kemp has won the endorsement of all but two state GOP legislators.
  • He's also out-fundraised Perdue. 

3. Former VP Mike Pence is set to campaign for Kemp.

• His choice signifies a huge step away from Trump, who publicly endorsed Perdue. 
• Pence said he is open to running for president in 2024, possibly against Trump. 

4. U.S. Reps. Lucy McBath and Carolyn Bourdeaux face off in the 7th District Democratic primary. 

• McBath entered the 7th District race after the 6th District was redrawn to favor Republicans. 
  • She received the majority of the district's endorsements and has gained more national recognition. 
• Bourdeaux is more moderate while McBath is more progressive. 
• The race allows voters in the 7th District to choose between a moderate and progressive candidate. 

Tomorrow on Political Rewind: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Tamar Hallerman is set to join the panel on primary election day.