adplus-dvertising
Connect with us

Politics

Georgia run-off election: Ready to switch off from politics? Not here

Published

 on

Getty Images

Three days after the US voted, most of America is ready to switch off from politics. That’s not an option in Georgia, where the next high-stakes election campaign is already under way.

“It feels like we have elections every other month!”

Libby Hickson’s response probably reflected how many in the state felt when they learned that their contest for US Senate was going to a second round.

But as she cheered at a campaign rally for Democrat Raphael Warnock on Thursday, the 51-year-old native of Marietta said she was fired up to vote again on 6 December. She even planned on volunteering at a local precinct.

News of the run-off elicited a range of responses, from excitement, to resignation, to a dark humour about having to endure four more weeks of politicking.

Scott Strickland just wanted the ads to stop. For the past several months, the 59-year-old grocery store owner from Gainsville, Georgia, has been bombarded with “nasty” political advertisements for this year’s US Senate race. On the car radio. On the TV. Before YouTube videos.

“You just get a real bad taste in your mouth, from both sides,” said Mr Strickland, a conservative who voted for the Republican Herschel Walker and planned to do so again next month.

In Tuesday’s midterm election, Mr Warnock came within a few thousand votes of outright victory. He won 49.4% of the vote, while his Republican opponent garnered 48.5% (a libertarian candidate received 2.1% of the votes).

“We all knew this election was close,” Mr Warnock told dozens of poncho-clad, umbrella-wielding supporters who weren’t letting a mild Atlanta downpour dampen their spirits. “But I’ve done this before. We’ve done this before! We know how to win a run-off!”

The crowd cheered him on with chants of “One more time! One more time!”

 

Senator Raphael Warnock on stage

Getty Images

They say history repeats itself, but rarely does it do so on such a brief timetable.

Less than two years ago, in January of 2021, Georgia held a landmark run-off in a special election that sent Mr Warnock to the US Senate for a temporary term. The stakes in that election were nothing short of Democratic control of the Senate, and President Joe Biden’s legislative ambitions. The contest became an object of national obsession.

Now, Mr Warnock is running for a full six-year Senate term, and once again, he must win a run-off to secure his seat. Once again, the fate of the US Senate potentially rests in the balance.

 

line

 

Where the race stands now

  • Senate control hinges on the outcome of three states – Arizona, Nevada – and Georgia
  • Democrats need to win two of those three to retain their grip
  • Republicans are inching closer to a 218-seat majority in the House
  • But the projected number of seats is dimming

 

line

 

 

Presentational white space

 

Mr Walker, meanwhile, gets a second attempt at victory after coming in roughly 40,000 votes behind Mr Warnock in the first round of the election.

His campaign has wasted no time in hitting the ground. A high-profile Republican US Senator from Texas, Ted Cruz, travelled to the state on Thursday. The National Republican Senate Committee also announced their first television advertisement – which at some point, like it or not, Mr Strickland will probably have to watch.

 

Herschel Walker

Getty Images

Martha Zoller, a Republican strategist and radio host in the state, said a number of variables could impact the race, including what happens in Arizona and Nevada’s Senate races.

“I think it will depend upon if it’s for a balance of the Senate,” she said. Ballots are still being counted in those two states and the outcome there could either secure the Senate for Democrats or put the stakes squarely on Georgia’s shoulders.

Ms Zoller also alluded to the fact that former President Donald Trump, a Republican, has hinted he will announce another presidential run in mid-November, which would throw a political bombshell back in the national conversation in the midst of Georgia’s run-off election.

 

Top of midterms links box

 

 

Bottom of midterms links box

 

Mr Trump’s attempts to meddle in Georgia’s 2020 presidential election and sow disinformation about his loss are widely blamed for helping deliver Georgia’s two US Senate seats to Mr Warnock and another Democrat, Jon Ossoff.

Amid all these factors, voters will be asked to return to the ballot box in just four weeks, with early voting starting at the end of November.

Despite having to go through the electoral process again, they told BBC News they saw it as their civic duty to see the election through.

Simone Smith, 39, had voted for Democrats Stacey Abrams in the gubernatorial race, and Mr. Warnock in the Senate race. Ms Abrams lost, but Ms. Smith, an immigrant from the United Kingdom, saw it as a privilege to be able to return to the polls again on 6 December.

“I personally don’t have fatigue,” Ms. Smith, who works in the tech industry, said. “For me, existing in this country and having the ability to vote is pretty much the immigrant story. I spent 18 years of my life without citizenship, to finally get to that place in 2018 and get my citizenship, I’m going to exercise my right to vote in all races.”

Source link

Politics

Liberals win majority in New Brunswick election

Published

 on

 

New Brunswick voters have elected a Liberal majority government, tossing out the incumbent Progressive Conservatives after six years in power and handing the reins to the first woman ever to lead the province. Liberal Leader Susan Holt spent much of the campaign rolling out proposed fixes for a health-care system racked by a doctor shortage, overcrowded emergency rooms and long wait-times. She promised to open 30 community health clinics across the province by 2028. (Oct. 22, 2024)

Source link

Continue Reading

Politics

Susan Holt Breaks the Glass Ceiling in New Brunswick Politics

Published

 on

Susan Holt has made history in New Brunswick by becoming the first woman to serve as the leader of the province’s Liberal Party, a significant milestone in the province’s political landscape. Holt’s leadership victory signals a new era of representation, gender equality, and change in the region, which has long been dominated by male politicians.

Holt’s journey to the top has been one of perseverance and dedication. Before entering politics, she built a distinguished career in the private sector, where she held numerous leadership positions. Her experience in business development and public policy has equipped her with the skills needed to navigate the complex world of politics.

In a province where women have historically been underrepresented in politics, Holt’s election represents a watershed moment. Women’s involvement in leadership roles has been steadily increasing nationwide, but New Brunswick, like many parts of Canada, has seen slower progress in achieving gender parity. Holt’s rise to the top of the Liberal Party not only shatters a glass ceiling but also serves as an inspiration for future generations of women aiming for political leadership.

As the leader of the New Brunswick Liberal Party, Holt has laid out a vision of inclusivity and progress. Her policies focus on economic development, healthcare reform, environmental sustainability, and addressing social issues that have plagued the province. She has also emphasized the importance of transparent governance and creating opportunities for underrepresented communities, making her platform both modern and forward-thinking.

Holt’s leadership arrives at a time when many voters are calling for change, especially in the face of challenges like economic uncertainty and the need for healthcare improvements. She aims to bring fresh ideas to tackle these issues while ensuring that all citizens, regardless of their background, have a voice in government decisions.

Susan Holt joins the ranks of other trailblazing women across Canada who have led provincial parties and governments. Women like former Alberta Premier Rachel Notley and Ontario’s Kathleen Wynne have paved the way, and now Holt is contributing to this growing legacy of female political leadership in Canada.

Her achievement highlights not only the growing number of women entering politics but also the demand for leaders who can bring diverse perspectives to the table. In a field often dominated by entrenched traditions, Holt’s election is a step toward a more inclusive and representative political landscape in New Brunswick.

Holt’s leadership signals a broader shift in Canadian politics, where more women and diverse voices are gaining prominence. For young women across the country, her rise serves as a powerful reminder that leadership roles are within reach, even in traditionally male-dominated spheres.

With her election, Susan Holt has proven that perseverance, skill, and a vision for change can break even the toughest barriers. Her leadership will not only reshape New Brunswick’s political future but also inspire others across Canada to pursue leadership positions and continue to challenge the status quo.

Continue Reading

Politics

Moe and Beck hold campaign events today, as parties urge early voting

Published

 on

 

NDP Leader Carla Beck has two planned campaign events today, starting the day with an availability in Moose Jaw and then later this evening attending an event in the capital with the Regina Medical Staff Association.

Saskatchewan Party Leader Scott Moe, meanwhile, will speak in Prince Albert at the start of Voting Week in the province.

Saskatchewan residents can vote for five days starting today in the lead-up to next week’s provincial election, although polls won’t be open Sunday.

The NDP and the Saskatchewan Party are urging voters to cast their ballots early.

Voters can find their polling stations on their information cards or by visiting the Elections Saskatchewan website.

Chief electoral officer Michael Boda says there are about 810,000 registered voters in Saskatchewan.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 22, 2024.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

Source link

Continue Reading

Trending