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Trump Turns the Georgia Primary Into His Personal Vendetta

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Trump Turns the Georgia Primary Into His Personal Vendetta


The 2020 election was nearer than you keep in mind. If Donald Trump had flipped 60,000 votes from blue to crimson in Georgia, Arizona, and Pennsylvania, he could be president proper now.

Inserting loyalists in positions to impression a doable run in 2024 is the obvious clarification for why Trump has endorsed challengers this 12 months to Georgia incumbent Gov. Brian Kemp, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, and Lawyer Normal Chris Carr, all of whom he has repeatedly (and falsely) blamed for costing him the state’s 16 electoral votes in 2020.

Early voting is underway in Georgia, and first election day is Could 24.

“Trump isn’t backing incumbents in Georgia—he’s backing challengers—and it gained’t be straightforward for him,” Greg Bluestein, a political reporter for the Atlanta Journal-Structure, advised The Day by day Beast. “We don’t know the way a lot clout Trump nonetheless has in Georgia, however we’re about to seek out out.”

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Bluestein paperwork Georgia’s shift from stable crimson to legit battleground during the last decade in his new e-book, Flipped: How Georgia Turned Purple and Broke the Monopoly on Republican Energy, and affords some context for the place the state could also be headed in 2022 and 2024.

Bluestein sat down with The Day by day Beast to speak in regards to the e-book.

Stacey Abrams ran for governor of Georgia in 2018 and misplaced by 55,000 votes. If the principle levers that shift elections over time are demographics, turnout, and celebration affiliation, what has modified in Georgia during the last 4 years?

One factor that’s modified is that there are 1.2 million new voters. Lots of them are youthful and extra numerous than Georgia’s general voters, so Stacey Abrams would say that the case for a Democrat successful this 12 months is a bit of bit higher than it was 4 years in the past. Democrats have been saying for 20 years that they’re going to flip Georgia, however now they’ll level to 2020 and say they’ve achieved it with Joe Biden successful Georgia.

Is that sufficient to cowl 55,000 votes in a midterm election 12 months?

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Total, Abrams’ argument has been that demographics is not future, that the state is not going to be Democratic simply because it’s trending youthful and extra numerous. Simply because there’s a Black candidate doesn’t imply that Black voters will vote. Abrams says it’s important to give folks a purpose to vote.

What purpose is Abrams providing?

In 2018, she performed to the Democratic Social gathering’s liberal base. In 2022, the voters is completely different, however her standing can be completely different. She doesn’t have to fret a few main opponent or cementing herself because the liberal to the celebration’s base. She already has that. She has the luxurious now of aiming to a broader voters by specializing in Medicaid growth, which she thinks is the massive situation.

Having a contested Senate race on the poll ought to assist with turnout.

It would, and Raphael Warnock obtained extra votes than Jon Ossoff did once they have been each operating in 2020, so Warnock has confirmed already to be a very talked-about candidate. I believe he’ll assist broaden the Democratic voters, however the Democrats know they’re going through headwinds. This is not going to be a simple 12 months to win statewide races.

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So Stacey Abrams misplaced by 55,000 votes in 2018, Joe Biden gained by 11,000 votes in 2020, and Warnock gained a runoff by 100,000 votes in January 2021. What accounted for that shift?

A few of it was the candidates. Joe Biden caught to his message, and the Senate candidates caught to their message. The voters modified. And Trump was an enormous issue. Kelly Loeffler, who misplaced within the runoff to Warnock, had a database with tens of 1000’s of names that her marketing campaign categorised as “GOP, not voting.” Regardless of how a lot they appealed to these voters, they purchased the lies about election fraud and didn’t vote within the runoff.

Hillary Clinton flipped two suburban Atlanta counties—Cobb County and Gwinnett County—in 2016 and was the primary Democrat operating for president to win both of these counties in a few years. Cobb County was Newt Gingrich’s residence base. How have these counties modified demographically within the final decade?

Folks have a stereotypical notion of suburban Atlanta as these lily-white areas. That’s simply not the case anymore, notably with Gwinnett County turning into one of the numerous large counties east of the Mississippi River. These counties have gotten numerous, they’ve gotten youthful, and a few Republican voters in these counties have been turned off by Donald Trump and have began voting Democratic.

In 2018, Stacey Abrams boasted about her F score with the NRA, which signaled to me how drastically issues had modified.

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The shock of the 2016 election in Georgia wasn’t that Trump gained the state—he and Hillary Clinton didn’t even marketing campaign right here—however that he solely gained by 5 factors and was the primary Republican to lose Cobb County and Gwinnett County for the reason that Jimmy Carter period. These had been solidly Republican counties, and Stacey Abrams has to carry these counties to have any probability of successful this 12 months.

Stacey Abrams is extra invested in points than she is id politics. She will be able to go into rural counties with largely the identical message she has in Atlanta. Has that been a internet plus for her?

In Georgia, the traditional knowledge for Democrats was to keep away from weapons and nationwide Democrats. In 2006, in 2010, in 2014, Georgia Democrats largely ran as NRA Democrats who didn’t wish to give Republicans a wedge situation. In 2018, Stacey Abrams boasted about her F score with the NRA, which signaled to me how drastically issues had modified.

Abrams would exit to crimson, rural areas and enchantment to the liberal Democrats in these areas. She would go to Chamber of Commerce teams and mainstream Republican teams and remind them that she labored with Republicans within the Georgia legislature on Hope Scholarships. She confirmed a realistic aspect that put some average Republicans comfortable about her.

Mind Kemp is the Republican governor of Georgia. He beat Stacey Abrams in 2018 and is operating once more in 2022. How’s that going?

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He’s nonetheless going through a number of the Trump dynamics we noticed in 2020. Donald Trump blames Kemp for his election defeat; he says Kemp didn’t do sufficient to illegally overturn the election. Donald Trump wished Brian Kemp to name a particular session of the legislature to refuse to certify the election in Georgia and refuse to signal the paperwork validating the election in Georgia.

I noticed folks leaping over one another at a current rally simply to get a better look [at Herschel Walker]. He was the one Trump endorsement in Georgia who didn’t want it.

Trump has spent extra time campaigning in opposition to Kemp in Georgia than he has in opposition to every other Republican operating on this cycle. He recruited David Perdue, the previous U.S. senator from Georgia to run in opposition to Kemp. He recruited a candidate to run in opposition to Brad Raffensberger, who famously refused Trump’s demand to seek out sufficient votes to overturn the election. He has recruited candidates to run in opposition to Kemp-backed candidates in down-ballot races.

How do you assume Trump’s endorsed candidates will do in Georgia?

I believe Georgia is the largest check for Donald Trump’s affect in the whole nation. It’s not due to the massive variety of candidates he’s endorsed—he’s endorsed six candidates for statewide election in Georgia—however as a result of these candidates are in for such a problem in Georgia’s primaries on Could 24.

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Trump is placing Georgia Republicans in a horrible place. If few or none of his endorsed candidates win, how enthusiastic are Trumpy Republicans presupposed to be in regards to the common election in November?

In September 2021, Trump mentioned at a rally in Georgia that he’d somewhat see Stacey Abrams as governor than Brian Kemp. At his most up-to-date rally in Georgia, he predicted that Georgia Republicans wouldn’t assist Brian Kemp if he does get the celebration’s nomination and that Herschel Walker, the Senate frontrunner, would even be broken by Kemp operating for governor.

Herschel Walker will probably be the Republican nominee to face Sen. Raphael Warnock within the Senate race. How’s his marketing campaign going?

Walker has a historical past of violence in opposition to ladies together with his ex-wife that has been well-documented within the press. It will likely be throughout Raphael Warnock’s TV advertisements within the fall if Herschel Walker is the nominee. On the marketing campaign path, Herschel Walker has achieved solely tightly scripted occasions, hasn’t achieved many interviews with retailers past conservative media and sports activities media, and he didn’t attend the primary Republican main debate.

The truth that he was a soccer legend on the College of Georgia provides him nearly common identify recognition throughout Georgia, which has helped elevate his visibility immensely. I noticed folks leaping over one another at a current rally simply to get a better look. He was the one Trump endorsement in Georgia who didn’t want it, however he has actually welcomed it.

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Like a number of different states, Georgia has handed legal guidelines for the reason that 2020 election to make it harder to vote. Do you assume the brand new restrictions will matter?

We’ll see the primary check with the first elections. There are tighter deadlines to submit absentee ballots, and there are extra restrictions on poll drop packing containers. Persons are dwelling in several districts due to redistricting. There’s a photograph ID requirement for folks casting absentee ballots. There are a number of modifications, so we don’t know what the impression will probably be. If there’s a decent race, the modifications may have a big impression.

Fulton County is investigating Donald Trump for election legislation violations. What’s taking place there?

The trial of Donald Trump could be the largest story within the nation if it strikes ahead. We’re not listening to rather a lot from the District Lawyer’s workplace proper now, however there’s a particular grand jury underway and we anticipate an everyday grand jury to be summoned quickly. I don’t know whether or not Donald Trump will probably be indicted, however it will put the Fulton County Courthouse within the heart of nationwide information later this 12 months if it occurs.



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Former Georgia HBCU basketball coach found shot to death in Atlanta

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Former Georgia HBCU basketball coach found shot to death in Atlanta


A former Georgia HBCU basketball coach who went missing earlier this week was found dead in northwest Atlanta.

Homicide detectives with the Atlanta Police Department are investigating the death of 59-year-old Samuel Jackson.

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Missing coach found dead in Atlanta

What we know:

Jackson, the former head basketball coach at Fort Valley State, was reported missing by his wife on Monday.

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According to WXGA, Jill Jackson last spoke to her husband on Sunday night as he was preparing to start his job as an Uber Eats driver.

Deputies reportedly found Jackson’s BMW at an apartment complex in Bonaire, Georgia. According to the investigation report, the car was unlocked and things had been “scattered over the seat and floor.” Jackson was nowhere to be found.

Desmond Jackson, the missing man’s son, told WGXA that he was able to use technology to track his dad to Atlanta. 

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“His phone pinged in Atlanta, [law enforcement] weren’t able to give exact details,” he said. “Since then, I was able to get into his Gmail just to pull up his location history and it shows his phone; his Gmail, or his phone was there off Bolton Road.” 

On Wednesday, the Atlanta Police Department said that it was asked by the Houston County Sheriff’s Office to look into the possibility that Jackson was near the 2900 block of Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway.

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After canvassing the area, officers found a man who had been shot multiple times. The Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed to WGXA that Jackson was the victim.

What we don’t know:

Details about Jackson’s disappearance and death remain limited, and authorities are trying to trace how the missing man went from Peach County to Atlanta.

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“Homicide detectives will be working to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident,” the Atlanta Police Department wrote in their release.

What you can do:

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 The investigation is ongoing.

If you have any information that could help detectives, contact the Atlanta Police Department.

The Source: Information for this story came from a release by the Atlanta Police Department as well as additional reporting by WGXA’s Leah Kincaid and Gloria Ruth Finney.

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SEC Team Recruiting Rankings: Georgia’s Big Commit, Zech Ford, Moves the Needle

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SEC Team Recruiting Rankings: Georgia’s Big Commit, Zech Ford, Moves the Needle


College football season ended a week-and-a-half ago when Ohio State beat Notre Dame in the National Championship game, but the recruiting stove is red hot across the sport.

In the SEC, Georgia landed a commitment from big-time safety Zech Fort of IMG Academy in Florida on Thursday. How did it impact the recruiting rankings across the SEC?

247Sports updated its composite team rankings following the commitment and five SEC programs checked in the top 10 nationally while three more ranked within the top 20.

Despite a woeful 2024 season that saw just a 2-10 overall record and winless SEC campaign, Mississippi State still ranks ahead of four other SEC teams.

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Here is what the SEC team recruiting rankings look like as of January 30, 2025. Clearly there is a lot of time for movement to be made as we’re 11 months from the early signing period, but the foundation for recruiting classes is clearly being built.

No. 16: Kentucky (0 nationally)

Kentucky head football coach Mark Stoops during a game at Tennessee in 2024

Nov 2, 2024; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Stoops talks with an official during the first half against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium. / Saul Young/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

Kentucky is the only team in the SEC that is yet to receive a public verbal commitment in the 2026 recruiting cycle.

15. Vanderbilt (54th nationally)

Vanderbilt head football coach Clark Le

Dec 27, 2024; Birmingham, AL, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores head coach Clark Lea looks on during a timeout during the first half of the 2024 Birmingham Bowl at Protective Stadium. / Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images

Vanderbilt Football:
1 commitment
87.26 average player rating
17.26 team points

14. Missouri (51st nationally)

Missouri football coach Eli Drinkwitz in a game against Arkansas in 202

Nov 30, 2024; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers head coach Eli Drinkwitz watches play against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the first half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. / Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Missouri Football:
1 commitment
89.58 average player rating
19.58 team points

13. Alabama (49th nationally)

Alabama head football coach Kalen Deboer before a bowl game against Michiga

Dec 31, 2024; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer looks on before running onto the field before a game against the Michigan Wolverines at Raymond James Stadium. / Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images

Alabama Football:
1 commitment
95.05 average player rating
25.05 team points

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12. Mississippi State (42 nationally)

Mississippi State head coach Jeff Lebby during a 2024 game against UMas

Nov 2, 2024; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Jeff Lebby speaks with players during the fourth quarter against the Massachusetts Minutemen at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. / Matt Bush-Imagn Images

Mississippi State Football:
4 commitments
87.07 average player rating
34.05 team points

11. Ole Miss (38th nationally)

Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin after winning the Gator Bowl vs. Duk

Mississippi Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin is interviewed after the game while holding the Ash Verlander Champions Trophy of the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. Ole Miss defeated Duke 52-20. / Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Ole Miss Football:
2 commitments
86.66 average player rating
37.21 team points

10. Texas (33rd nationally)

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian at a press conferenc

Texas Longhorns Head Coach Steve Sarkisian speaks during the Coaches’ Press Conference at AT&T Stadium, Jan. 9, 2024. Both coaches answered questions from the media during the conference, and will face each other in the Cotton Bowl College Football Playoff semi-final game on Friday. / Sara Diggins/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Texas Football:
2 commitments
95.35 average player rating
50.55 team points

9. Florida (28th nationally)

Florida head coach Billy Napier after winning the Gasparilla Bowl over Tulan

Dec 20, 2024; Tampa, FL, USA; Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier is presented the Gasparilla Bowl championship trophy after the win against the Tulane Green Wave at Raymond James Stadium. / Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

Florida Football:
3 commitments
90.63 average player rating
61.32 team points

8. Oklahoma (19th nationally)

Brent Venables leads Oklahoma out for the Armed Forces Bow

Oklahoma coach Brent Venables locks arms with players before the Armed Forces Bowl football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Navy Midshipmen at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas, Friday, Dec. 27, 2024. Navy won 21-20. / BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Oklahoma Football:
4 commitments
91.32 average player rating
83.65 team points

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7. South Carolina (14th nationally)

South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer celebrates beating Missouri in 202

Nov 16, 2024; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Shane Beamer celebrates beating the Missouri Tigers at Williams-Brice Stadium. He is holding the Mayors Cup, given to the winner of the South Carolina-Missouri game. / Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

South Carolina Football:
5 commitments
89.93 average player rating
96.70 team points

6. Georgia (12th nationally)

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart leads the Bulldogs against Texas in the SEC Championshi

Georgia coach Kirby Smart takes the field with his team before the start of the SEC championship game against Texas in Atlanta, on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. / Joshua L. Jones / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Georgia Football:
5 commitments
92.03 average player rating
106.71 team points

5. Arkansas (9th nationally)

Arkansas head football coach Sam Pittman after winning the Liberty Bow

Dec 27, 2024; Memphis, TN, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks head coach Sam Pittman reacts during an interview after defeating the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. / Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Arkansas Football:
9 commitments
87.96 average player rating
117.09 team points

4. LSU (8th nationally)

LSU head football coach Brian Kelly after winning the bowl game over Baylo

Dec 31, 2024; Houston, TX, USA; LSU Tigers head coach Brian Kelly celebrates after defeating the Baylor Bears in the Kinder’s Texas Bowl in the second half at NRG Stadium. / Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

LSU Football:
6 commitments
91.63 average player rating
123.91 team points

3. Auburn (7th nationally)

Auburn head football coach Hugh Freez

Nov 16, 2024; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers head coach Hugh Freeze greets fans during Tiger Walk before the game against the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks at Jordan-Hare Stadium. / John Reed-Imagn Images

Auburn Football:
6 commitments
93.11 average player rating
132.21 team points

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2. Tennessee (6th nationally)

Tennessee head football coach Josh Heupel before a CFP game against Ohio Stat

Dec 21, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel before the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium. / Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images

Tennessee Football:
7 commitments
90.7 average player rating
135.95 team points

1. Texas A&M (2nd nationally)

Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko disagrees with an official's decision in a game against Texas in 2024

Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko reacts to an overturned tageting call against the Texas Longhorns during the Lone Star Showdown at Kyle Field on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024 in College Station, Texas. / Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Texas A&M Football:
10 commitments
92.2 average player rating
192 team points



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Georgia man arrested for Texas fraud scheme, facing multiple charges

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Georgia man arrested for Texas fraud scheme, facing multiple charges


Ke-Juan D’Shon Studdard

A 24-year-old Georgia man has been arrested in connection to a large-scale fraud scheme targeting victims in Texas. 

What we know:

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Ke-Juan D’Shon Studdard, a 24-year-old from Lithonia, has been arrested in connection with a large-scale fraud scheme targeting victims in Texas. Law enforcement officials from the Lithonia Police Department, Snellville Police Department, and the Collin County Sheriff’s Office in Texas collaborated to track and apprehend Studdard.

Studdard is accused of using fraudulent bank schemes to steal funds through multiple financial institutions, including Cash App, Wells Fargo, and Chase Bank. He has been charged with:

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  • Breach of Computer Security – Identifying Information from Computer/PC (Second Degree Felony)
  • Online Impersonation (Third Degree Felony)
  • Felony Theft

Authorities located Studdard after tracking him for several hours across metro Atlanta. He was ultimately arrested in a Walmart parking lot in Snellville, where officers from Snellville PD, Lithonia PD, and a Collin County Sheriff’s investigator apprehended him. Studdard will be extradited to Texas to face the charges.

What they’re saying:

Lithonia Police Chief Dejarnette emphasized the importance of inter-agency cooperation in making the arrest.

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Why you should care:

Fraudulent financial schemes are becoming increasingly sophisticated and widespread, putting individuals’ bank accounts and personal information at risk. Authorities warn residents to remain vigilant against scams involving unexpected calls, emails, or text messages requesting sensitive details.

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What you can do:

Law enforcement officials urge the public to take precautions to protect themselves from financial fraud:

  • Never share personal information unless you verify the sender’s identity.
  • Hang up immediately if you receive an unexpected call requesting sensitive details.
  • Contact banks or institutions directly using official phone numbers—not the one provided in the suspicious message.
  • Monitor financial accounts regularly for any unauthorized transactions.

What’s next:

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As the investigation continues, police are working to determine whether additional suspects are involved in the scheme. Authorities encourage anyone with relevant information to come forward.

LithoniaCrime and Public SafetyNews



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