Senator guarded on Biden protest

Loeffler’s comments spur rival’s criticism

ATLANTA — Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler of Georgia on Wednesday declined to rule out a formal protest of Democrat Joe Biden’s victory when Congress convenes next month to certify the presidential election results.

Loeffler, when asked whether she would consider disputing the election when a joint session of Congress convenes for the final certification of Biden’s election, replied, “I haven’t looked at it.” The senator, speaking outside her early voting precinct Wednesday, called that Jan. 6 session “a long way out” and added that “there’s a lot to play out between now and then.”

Loeffler’s challenger, Democrat Raphael Warnock, on Wednesday seized on the senator’s comments. “Say it with me Kloeffler,” he wrote on Twitter. “Joebiden and Kamalaharris won the election. It’s disrespectful to Georgia voters to say anything else.”

Loeffler could do little more than delay the final certification of Biden’s victory over President Donald Trump. But she — with Republican Sen. David Perdue, who faces Democrat Jon Ossoff in the Jan. 5 runoff — has been consistent since the election in insisting it’s not over.

The senators are scheduled to welcome Vice President Mike

Pence to Georgia on Thursday for the third time during the twomonth runoff blitz. As vice president, Pence will preside over the Jan. 6 session to count Electoral College votes.

Meanwhile, Facebook said it will temporarily pause its ban on political advertising in the U.S. to allow ads for the Georgia runoff elections. The broader political ad ban for the rest of the country still stands.

The social media giant banned new election and political ads six weeks ago after the polls closed on Election Day. It was an extension of an earlier restriction on new political ads in the week leading up to Nov. 3.

Facebook said in a blog post it will reject political ads not specifically targeted to Georgia.

Early in-person voting began Monday in the Georgia runoff. The two races will decide which party controls the U.S. Senate.

Alyssa Pointer The Associated Press Sen. Kelly Loeffler, R-GA., speaks with members of the news media Wednesday after participating in early voting at Chastain Park Gymnasium in Atlanta.