Republican vice-presidential candidate JD Vance took aim at Vice President Kamala Harris on a number of key issues during a recent visit to Georgia.
Vance addressed record early voting numbers in Georgia, attributing the embrace by Republicans to a desire for secure borders, a priority the VP hopeful says Harris continues to wrongly demonize, as Fox News reports.
In his role as the Republican contender for vice president, Vance embarked on a campaign stop in Georgia on Saturday morning. During his rally, he openly criticized Harris's recent remarks, claiming she suggested that those who support conservative policies are essentially bad people.
The visit occurred at a significant time, with Georgia witnessing record numbers in early voting, surpassing more than half of the total turnout from the 2020 election. Gabriel Sterling, the chief operating officer for Georgia's Secretary of State office, acknowledged the impressive voter turnout numbers via a tweet, indicating that over 50% of the turnout for the 2020 election had been reached already in 2024.
More than 2.6 million individuals have capitalized on early voting in Georgia, as reported by Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger's office. The total turnout during the 2020 election was just shy of five million, with Donald Trump losing to current President Joe Biden by a narrow margin of 11,779 votes.
Reflecting on the current electoral climate, Vance noted, "Here's my message to Kamala Harris. Stop censoring your fellow citizens, try to persuade them and you might actually get somewhere." His comments suggested a call for more inclusive discourse on part of the vice president.
Vance went further, urging Harris to refrain from labeling Americans negatively for supporting a secure southern border and desiring reduced exposure to fentanyl in their communities. "Stop telling the American people they're bad for wanting a secure southern border," he remarked, further emphasizing the need for open conversations on these pressing issues.
The surge in early voting has been largely embraced by Republicans in Georgia, a change Vance attributes to election reforms implemented after the contentious 2020 presidential contest. In 2021, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed a law that significantly modified the state's voting rules, in the wake of unverified claims of voter fraud raised by Trump.
These reforms introduced stricter limitations on absentee and mail-in voting, increased requirements for voter ID, and prohibited non-poll workers from distributing food and drink to those waiting in line to vote. The changes present a double-edged sword: praised by some for securing elections and criticized by others as potentially suppressive.
Sterling, in his tweet following the release of record turnout data, stated, "For people like Joe Biden & Stacey Abrams, you were wrong saying we had voter suppression here. It’s easy to register & vote in Georgia…and really hard to even try to cheat. Great job by our voters & counties." His comments reflect his stance that Georgia has created a robust yet accessible voting system.
JD Vance's visit to Georgia underscored ongoing political tensions, especially regarding Vice President Harris's reported stance on conservative values. The record levels of early voting in the state highlight the mobilization efforts ignited by recent reforms, illustrating a shift in voting patterns among Georgia Republicans.
The election law overhaul, as enacted by Gov. Brian Kemp, continues to be a potent topic of debate. While it aims to reinforce election security, it also faces criticism regarding its potential impact on voter access.
As the nation edges closer to the general election, both parties remain ensnared in disputes over electoral policies and public engagement, with Georgia as a prime battleground.
