Georgia’s Senate Races and Why They’re Important
by Taylor Dunn
Oct. 7, 2020
As two out of the 11 crucial Senate races, Georgia’s potential to flip from red to blue has never been greater, as Georgia voters will elect two senators, an unusual occurrence that happened due to mid-term retirement in one seat and the end of a term in another.
However, the seats aren’t the only thing causing the races to be so climactic. Because of these two simultaneous races, the power in the Senate hangs in the balance.
With 53 members, the Republican party holds the majority in the Senate but with 23 seats up for grabs, 11 of these could turn the tide, including the two in Georgia.
The first race, between David Perdue and Jon Ossoff, is the Georgia general election that was always meant to happen. The second, a special election, while it is still an important seat, the addition of the Georgia special election has caused the Senate power to possibly switch.
Graphic by Forest Redd
A special election occurs when a position holder dies, resigns, or is impeached. Georgia’s special election came when Republican Johnny Isakson had to retire his seat due to health problems with three years left on his term. When he retired, Governor Brian Kemp named a replacement until the election time, in which he named Republican Kelly Loeffler.
Now, Senator Loeffler is vying to keep that seat in the special election, against 21 other candidates. If Senator Loeffler and Senator Perdue both win their elections, the Senate would remain primarily in the Republican party's power, which makes these races so special.
If Jon Ossoff and another Democratic candidate were to win both of the respective Georgia Senate seats, then it would flip the state of Georgia from red to blue while also opening the doors for the Senate to turn to Democratic powers.
Chase Martaus discusses the senate candidates in each state and how they affect the entire senate.
The 9 Additional Senate Races
by Taylor Dunn
Oct. 7, 2020
While these two Georgia elections are important for witnessing how the Senate turns out come 2021, there are nine other crucial Senate races across the country that could help flip the Senate from red to blue, leaving the next 6 years open to immense change.
Alabama- In the past few elections, especially the last one, the state and Senate seat has been filled by a Republican. While the Democratic vote is important, Alabama is a historically red state so the chances of it flipping are grim.
Arizona- Another tough race between candidates, where Arizona has been mostly red, but blue has a history for almost catching up. This election is one of the more important ones, as this particular seat could help turn the majority in the Senate.
Colorado- Colorado has recently become an unsafe space for the GOP. The Democratic party has almost always carried the state in the past, although the GOP is usually close to catching up. This election is tough for the Republican Senator of Colorado, as once again blue might win the state over.
Iowa: A state with a primarily Democratic presidential vote history, but with Republican Senate history, the race for the seat is close. In 2016, President Trump ran away with Iowa, seemingly making the states stance obsolete. However, the senate race is very competitive, and has the potential to flip Iowa from red to blue.
Maine: Maine typically leans blue, in both presidential and senate elections. Maine gave Hilary Clinton three of their four electoral college votes, keeping Maine in the blue territory. The republican candidate from Maine has a tough race ahead of them, for Maine is on track to stay blue.
Michigan: In the past, Michigan's presidential and Senate votes have been blue. However, there have been times in the past where the votes were close. President Trump won the Michigan vote in 2016, however, polling averages state that he won by a close margin. If Michigan’s democratic candidate were to win, the state would flip from red to blue.
Montana: A primarily red state, Montana’s democratic governor seems to have an upper hand anyway. Although the presidential votes are almost always red-leaning, the senate votes are tied up between blue and red. But if the current governor is able to win the race, the state would stay blue.
North Carolina: North Carolina is a swing state, known for tipping the scales on all elections. In the past, the races between the red and blue candidates have always been close, with red mostly coming out on top. However, this state appears to bring bigger problems to the GOP than it did in 2016. This means that North Carolina could swing the races for both the White House and the Senate majority, turning North Carolina blue.
Texas: A primarily red state, Democrats are hopeful they can flip a few of the seats in Texas this year. With a primarily red voting history, it would be difficult for the whole state to flip from red to blue. However, if the democratic party is able to flip a few seats, then the Senate would be that much closer to flipping from red to blue.