Rome DNC member explains why Georgia should vote early in presidential primaries

Georgia could be the fourth state in the nation to weigh in on the Democratic presidential nominee next year, instead of waiting until “Super Tuesday” — if state Republicans agree to move their primary date as well.

“It’s huge... It’s a big deal economically; it’s a big deal politically for our state and our leaders,” said Wendy Davis of Rome.

Davis is a member of the Democratic National Committee, which voted Saturday at their winter meeting in Philadelphia to change the order of their state presidential preference primaries. South Carolina would be first, on Feb. 3, followed by Nevada and New Hampshire on Feb. 6, then Georgia and Michigan.

New Hampshire and Georgia are both Republicancontrolled states, and New Hampshire has a state law requiring it to hold the first presidential primary. Iowa had been the first port of call for Democratic candidates, but it holds caucuses instead of a statewide vote.

Georgia may also pose a problem for the Democratic calendar, since Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, a Republican, has said he won’t change the date if it hurts Republicans. Currently, the statewide presidential preference primary is set for March 23, 2024. Republicans — like Democrats — face penalties such as the loss of delegates for voting ahead of the calendar set by their national committee.

However, Davis said she holds out hope that the Georgia GOP can, and will, push for the change.

“My feeling is that our Republican leaders are national Republican leaders... It’s not about helping (Democratic President) Joe Biden, it’s about getting that money, getting that influence in Georgia,” she said.

The money is all the campaign cash candidates will be spending to garner early votes. Typically, a contested field starts out large, with candidates dropping out as each successive primary narrows the roster. The influence comes from presidential candidates lobbying the party leaders in earlyvoting states for their endorsements.

Georgia is a battleground state, with its voters closely representing a variety of cultures, faiths and political stances found throughout the country. Davis said voting early will help ensure the strongest national candidate survives — and she thinks Republicans should want that for their party as well.

There’s also the opportunity that comes from candidates visiting the state often, with the coverage elevating issues important to Georgia.

“How many years have we heard presidential candidates talking about ethanol? How many people care about ethanol? Just Iowa,” Davis said. “It’s an opportunity to talk about ports; Savannah is one of most important ports in the country... It’s an opportunity to talk about energy; Georgia is becoming the center of solar energy.”

She noted the recent Qcells announcements that they are expanding their solar panel manufacturing presence in Georgia, including into Bartow County. They’re jobs of the future, she said.

“Millions of dollars being invested and growing our economy is good for Georgia. We should all agree on that... It’s my hope that Republicans will want to join that effort to lift Georgia up,” Davis said. “We are an important state.”