There are only four short months left to go until voters head to the polls to decide on their Republican and Democratic gubernatorial candidates. On the right, there are four major candidates currently vying for the “Most Conservative” title, all of whom were more than happy to go against the wishes of current Republican Governor Nathan Deal by signing a pledge to support the so-called “Religious Freedom Restoration Act” (RFRA) should they win the election in November. Most of the GOP candidates have so far been content to campaign fairly under the radar, raise funds, and solidify their bases.
Thus far on the Democratic side, the two major candidates in the race, former state representatives Stacey Abrams and Stacey Evans, have indicated a belief in two divergent pathways when it comes to winning a general election. Abrams has shifted further to the left than many Democrats in the state with a strategy of communicating that left-leaning policies will be beneficial to independents and some traditionally rural Republican voters.
At a time when partisan politics are at a fever pitch, it would theoretically be difficult to win over anyone with the slightest conservative inclinations, but it will be necessary to bring over at least a few to secure victory. Evans, on the other hand, is hewing more closely to a “moderate” campaign and largely avoiding fights on controversial topics like the debate over Confederate monuments.
There is no objective answer about which tactic is right or wrong, but recent statewide polling from the AJC does give us some insight into how effective each tactic may be. For the first time in recent memory, Democrats seem to have an opening – they hold a favorable rating of 39% and an unfavorable rating of 48%. That may not sound great, but compare that to the Republican Party – they currently hold a favorable rating of 34% and an unfavorable rating of 57%. Most incredibly, there is broad satisfaction with the course of the state (64%) and the leadership of Deal (53% approve, 23% disapprove), so one would naturally expect the Georgia GOP to be in a better place.
Instead, they seem to be getting dragged down alongside President Donald Trump’s approval ratings in the state (37% approve, 59% disapprove). None of the Republican gubernatorial candidates have made any particular effort to distance themselves from the man either, which will not do them any favors in the general election.
This gives Democrats a golden opportunity to finally win a statewide office again. However, that will require two things. The first thing is that both candidates should avoid controversial fights deemed unnecessary and distracting by voters. For example, there is a split between voters regarding whether or not governments should be granted the authority to relocate Confederate monuments (49% approve, 47% approve).
There is a little to be gained in making this a central issue in a Democratic campaign. Instead, focus should be on the issues at the forefront of voters’ minds, such as education, health care, the economy, and transportation, which were ranked as the top four priorities in the poll. The Democratic message on all those issues is strong and broadly appealing, they simply must be communicated effectively.
The second thing is that both candidates must resist the temptation to turn the Democratic primary into a bareknuckle fight. This opportunity to win back the Governor’s Mansion for the first time in 16 years is too good and too rare to let slip away. I would implore that both candidates try not to let personal ambitions and aspirations fuel personal attacks against one another.
I believe Abrams and Evans would both make phenomenal governors of our state, and the best thing for them to do right now is recognize that truth about the other. This race should be run on experience, personal history, and policy, not divisive tactics which will only hinder unity following the primary. Opportunities like this don’t come along every decade, and we must do everything in our power to not let it pass us by.
