Georgia Democrats stay on sidelines as presidential hopefuls ramp up focus
Delicate footwork was on display during U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris’ recent visit to Georgia, her first since announcing her campaign for president. Many of the state’s most prominent Democrats showered the Californian with praise and predicted a bright future — but stopped short of endorsing her.
That hesitation is playing out in Democratic circles across Georgia. With a growing field of presidential candidates, uneasiness about the coronation of Hillary Clinton in 2016 and the possibility that Stacey Abrams could enter the contest, Democratic leaders and rank-and-file party members are staying neutral.
Hardly any state elected officials have picked sides in the 2020 race, and Georgia’s top tier of Democratic figures is holding back. The same goes with the grassroots leaders that help shape the party’s direction from the local level.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reached out to more than 60 Democratic leaders at the county level and found the broad majority are in wait-and-see mode. Only one of the dozens of county chairmen who responded to the AJC’s requests had decided on a candidate.
Read more: https://www.ajc.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/georgia-dems-stay-sidelines-presidential-hopefuls-ramp-focus/ZxWpGOoW9nvCJLGNCPwbvL/