As the dust settles from the presidential election, many of us are eager to take a breath and celebrate. That’s a good thing, because rest and joy are important. However, the work is far from done. One key focus point in the coming months is in the Georgia Senate runoffs, taking place on January 5, 2021. If Democrats Jon Ossoff and Rev. Raphael Warnock win their races, it’s not only a considerable victory for Georgia, but for the Senate overall. Other than hoping for a Blue win, you might be curious to learn more about Ossoff and Warnock. Let’s check out their views, values, and policy positions below.
Ossoff is running against Republican Sen. David Perdue and Warnock is running against far-right Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler. We’ve covered instances of Ossoff ripping into Perdue at his rallies, as well as Ossoff slamming Perdue over COVID-19 response during a debate. We’ve also covered Loeffler’s racist explanation for Trump getting the novel coronavirus, as well as her quiet introduction of yet another anti-trans bill for the Senate. With that background, let’s go over the two Democrats in more depth.
If we were to whittle down Ossoff’s campaign position to one issue, it would likely be affordable, accessible, quality health care for all. Obviously, amid the pandemic, which Donald Trump, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, and Perdue all fumbled, Ossoff’s focus on quality, affordable health care for all people is especially important. Ossoff supports Medicaid expansion, creating a public option that is accessible to all, and is passionate about putting an end to price-gouging by insurance companies. He is also an advocate for debt-free public college, direct relief to people during crises, and free vocational trainings.
Ossoff is also strong on racial justice and police brutality. In an interview with Atlanta Magazine, Ossoff was asked if he believes America and Georgia still struggle with systemic racism, as well as what safeguards should be in place to protect people of color from police violence. “Race and class bias are systemically embedded in laws and institutions, and especially in our criminal justice system,” Ossoff told the outlet. “Racial profiling, brutality, disparate and inequitable outcomes for people based on race and wealth are daily occurrences in America.” He added that he believes in demilitarizing the police, banning private prisons, and national standards for the use of force.
Warnock, a progressive activist and preacher at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia, is a first-time candidate for the Senate that’s made enormous waves and progress among the left. Like Ossoff, Warnock is also running on the issue of affordable, accessible health care. He’s also passionate about protecting voter rights, which is relevant everywhere, but especially in Georgia.
In fact, Warnock has been majorly active in the Get Out The Vote movement, especially among first-time voters. In speaking to Politico in an interview, Warnock told the outlet that during his campaign, he reached out to “everybody,” and noted the importance of connecting with people hurting all across the state, including white and Black voters, and both urban and rural.
Still, as Daily Kos has covered extensively, Warnock admitted what we all know is unfortunately true. Georgia’s voter suppression is no joke. “There’s no question that Georgia is a place that unfortunately is very good at voter suppression,” Warnock told the outlet.
In an interview with The Atlantic, Warnock aptly called out the hypocrisy of Republican Rep. Doug Collins, who since failed his bid for a Senate seat and is, as we know, a major Trump ally, on his moves to limit the Affordable Care Act, saying, “I don’t see how I could lift up that gospel on Sunday, and then fight to get rid of health care in the richest country in the world in the middle of a global pandemic on the floor of the United States Senate.”
On the subject of police brutality, Warnock spoke to CNN back in June after Rayshard Brooks, a Black man who was shot and killed by a police officer in Atlanta. “Someone asked me last week, what was it like to preach the Sunday after the death of George Floyd. My answer then and my answer now is it’s sort of like it was the Sunday after I preached following the death of Trayvon Martin, Tamir Rice, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery,” he stated. “Sadly, we’ve had a lot of practice with this kind of thing.”
In reference to the anti-racism demonstrations, however, he told CNN he was “very hopeful.” Warnock described the anti-police brutality demonstrations as a “multiracial coalition of conscious pouring out into American streets saying that we’ve got to address this age old virus of racism that we are one people and that in a real sense, none of us are safe until all of us are safe.” Movingly, he added, “Your children are not well unless my children are well."
If only Republicans could take some time to sit with that one-liner, the country might be in a much better place all around.
The Georgia runoff is Jan. 5. Click here to request an absentee ballot. Early in-person voting starts Dec. 14. And REGISTER TO VOTE here by Dec. 7.
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