Georgia Senate Race: David Perdue
Georgia is the only state hosting two Senate races this year. While the special election to fill the remainder of now-retired Senator Johnny Isakson's term has attracted more attention, insiders are pointing to Senator David Perdue's reelection race as a growing concern for the GOP.
Those of you who were fortunate enough to attend RJC's 2019 Las Vegas Leadership meeting will remember Senator Perdue's stirring introduction of Vice President Mike Pence. During those remarks he emphasized his strong, personal pro-Israel commitment, noting that he chose Israel as the destination for his first overseas trip as a Senator because "I wanted to send a message that there are friends in the US Senate who will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the state of Israel."
In his bid for a second term, Perdue faces Jon Ossoff, a 33-year-old filmmaker and one-time Capitol Hill staffer. Ossoff is best known for narrowly losing a special election for a suburban Atlanta House seat in 2017 in a race that attracted national attention and record campaign spending. In that race and in his current one against Senator Perdue, Ossoff proudly aligned himself with J Street and embraced the Obama Iran deal.
The contrast between Ossoff's thin resume and very liberal ideology on the one hand, and David Perdue's mainstream conservatism and record of accomplishment on the other, could not be more striking. Before entering politics, David had a 40-year business career during which he created thousands of jobs and saved thousands more. In that respect, he has frequently been compared to President Donald Trump, and it's important to note that Senator Perdue is known as one of the President's closest allies in the Senate.
How close is the race at this point? A Fox News poll conducted late last month found Perdue leading just 45-42 - too close for comfort. And other polls have shown similar results. "Here's the reality," the Senator has warned, "the state of Georgia is in play. The Democrats have made it that way."
The hard-fought 2018 gubernatorial election in which Brian Kemp narrowly defeated Stacey Abrams left Democrats convinced that they are close to a breakthrough in the Peach State. In the face of the left's frenzied efforts to beat the GOP in one of its traditional strongholds, it is imperative that conservative and pro-Israel voters mobilize to keep proven champion David Perdue fighting for us in the Senate.
The RJC PAC has endorsed David Perdue. You can help him win by clicking here to support his campaign.
If you’d like to share your thoughts with me on any of these races, please email me at [email protected]. Click here to see previous "Notes from Norm."