The Stage Is Set in Georgia

Come November, it’s going to be all about Georgia again.

Much of the reaction to Tuesday night’s primaries, what reaction anyone could have outside of the horror of what happened that morning in Texas, revolved around Donald Trump, because doesn’t it always? Trump’s preferred candidates in Georgia, David Perdue for Governor and Jody Hice for Secretary of State, endorsed by Trump solely because they repeated his Big Lie about the 2020 election (and would presumably make sure he didn’t lose any future election in the state), both got stomped. Current Governor Brian Kemp — perhaps Trump’s most commonly lambasted public official — and current Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger — the guy who Trump famously demanded to “find” him enough votes to win the state — both cruised to victories in the Republican primary. But now that Trump has failed in the primary, Kemp (and Raffensperger) advance to the even harder party: Winning their state in November.

And, with apologies to Pennsylvania, Ohio and other states, there is no more fascinating state this November than Georgia.

The most critical race nationwide — and one that could determine control of the United States Senate — was the least contested in the primaries on Tuesday. Sitting Senator Raphael Warnock, who beat Kelly Loeffler in a special election in 2020 but has to run again 2022 to earn a six-year term, breezed to victory in the Democratic primary. He will face, of all people, former University of Georgia Heisman Trophy winner Herschel Walker, who also had little trouble winning his primary, despite more competition. According to Cook’s Political Report, this race is a toss-up, which is a bit remarkable when you think about it. Warnock just won his seat two years ago — by a greater margin than fellow Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff won his — has raised a shocking amount of money and is considered by many one of the rising stars of Democratic politics. Walker not only has never held (or run for) public office before, he skipped every debate, has yet to sit down for an extended interview and has a history of mental illness and domestic abuse. Yes, he is a beloved football player in Georgia — perhaps the most beloved football player — and he has Trump’s full endorsement. But there’s a reason Republicans are extremely nervous about him being…