United States: Why are Georgia’s Senate elections important?

The state of Georgia goes to the polls this Tuesday to decide in the second round whether to give a seat in the Senate of USA the Democratic pastor Raphael Warnock or the Republican ex-star of American football Herschel Walker. The elections also provide an opportunity for the president’s party Joe Biden to consolidate his majority in the upper house.

In the midterm elections that were held on November 8, neither of the two candidate candidates reached more than 50% of the votes to be proclaimed the winner. Warnock got the 49.5% against 48.5% of Walker.

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But already before this second round, the Democrats managed to seize a seat held by the Republicans in Pennsylvania to maintain their small advantage in the Senate without depending on the result of Georgia.

Georgia voters line up to vote. (Photo: AP).

Walker He is supported by former President Donald Trump, who helped him win the Republican Party nomination. But in this second round, the tycoon has not campaigned for him because it could drive the vote away from independent women, according to CNN.

Republican Walker is accused of forcing a girlfriend into an abortion and paying for the procedure. He is also accused of not residing in Georgia but in Texas and of having physically mistreated another of his girlfriends.

The United States Congress. (AFP).

Because it is important?

The democrats they already have 50 seats in the United States Senate against 49 of the republicans. to win the republican Walker it would reach a tie, 50 against 50. In this case, Vice President Kamala Harris would end the tie in favor of the Democrats.

Thus, it is important for the Democrats to secure the Georgia seat, since they will have more room for maneuver in the Senate for President Biden to carry out his initiatives.

US Senator Raphael Warnock speaks to the media after a campaign event in Atlanta, Georgia, on October 24, 2022. (Elijah Nouvelage / AFP)

“It would help President Biden move his agenda forward and not have to rely on the Harris runoff. They could get the president’s bills passed more quickly.” accurate CNN.

Univision also explained that with 51 senators, the Democratic Party will be able to have majorities in all Senate committeeswhich are currently divided equally.

In addition, another factor has to do with the wayward Democratic senator from West Virginia joe manchin, who would lose strength. With 51 seats in the Senate, Democrats would no longer have to rely on him to pass some of the bills Manchin disagrees with. He is a senator who does not always vote for the Democratic party.

“Majorities in Senate committees would also put Democrats in a better position to combat Republican filibuster in the confirmation of federal judges and other officials, that must be nominated by the White House, but that require confirmation by the Senate”specifies Univision.

Finally, if you win Warnock Democrats would arrive in a better position for the 2024 elections, in which they will have to defend 23 seatswhile Republicans only have to defend 10.

The Republican candidate for the United States Senate, Herschel Walker, takes a photo with his supporters in Kennesaw, Georgia, on November 7, 2022. (SETH HERALDO / AFP).

While if they win republicansit would also be a boost for the party in the face of the 2024 presidential elections and, by the way, a consolation for what happened on November 8, when it was predicted that they would sweep both chambers of the United States Congress.

With 50 senators, the Republicans will be able to more effective in their opposition to President Joe Biden’s agenda.

As of Tuesday, some 1.9 million people, out of seven million registered, have already voted early in Georgia.

The few surveys that have been carried out give a slight advantage to Warnock.

Source: Elcomercio