Ga. Democrats highlight unity in party event

Seeking a contrast with feuding Republicans, the top of the Georgia Democratic ticket held a unity event Monday to highlight the party’s plans to expand Medicaid , juice the economy and pour more funding into the k-12 education system.

Stacey Abrams and Sarah Riggs Amico — the Democratic nominees for governor and lieutenant governor — call them “solvable problems.” And both offered a solution aimed at Republicans who control every lever of state government.

“We will help them get it done by taking over in November,” Abrams said.

It was a hint of a broader general election focus from the party’s statewide candidates, which also included former U.S. Rep. John Barrow - who is running for secretary of state — and attorney general contender Charlie Bailey.

All avoided contentious runoffs, a luxury Republicans don’t have.

Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle and Secretary of State Brian Kemp are warring with each other ahead of the July 24 runoff. So are the GOP candidates for two other top offices, lieutenant governor and secretary of state.

The eventual GOP nominees will likely try to frame their Democratic opponents as too liberal for Georgia, but for now they’re scrapping with each other over divisive issues including gun rights and loyalty to President Donald Trump.

In their stead, Georgia GOP Chairman John Watson has focused the party’s fire on Abrams and the roughly $50,000 she owes in back taxes.

“A ‘solvable problem?’ Real world translation: ‘Raise your taxes,’ “Watson said, adding that a Medicaid expansion could lead to an onerous new tax burden for residents. “Before Abrams forces this tax increase on Georgians, she should pay her own.”

Abrams, Amico and Barrow are trying to capitalize on the nine-week runoff to raise cash and reach voters. Abrams, for one, said she’s focused on expanding the machinery built for the primary campaign that she said contacted nearly 2 million voters.

“We are going to have the biggest turnover in November that the state has ever seen,” Abrams said.