Trump, Biden and Harris to head to Georgia for high-stakes run-off vote

A double win for Democrats is unlikely, but it would give the incoming Biden administration a major head start

Joe Biden in Coconut Creek, Florida, in October and US President Donald Trump in Green Bay, Wisconsin. AFP

Republicans currently hold 50 seats in the Senate and a victory in just one of the Georgia Senate runoff races will give them a majority and the ability to hamstring the agenda of President-Elect Joe Biden's agenda after he takes office on January 20. AFP

In the lead-up to the January 5 runoff election, Democratic Senate candidate Jon Ossoff continues to focus on early voting efforts across metro Atlanta. AFP

A woman holds a sign during a Latino meet and greet and literature distribution rally on December 30, 2020 in Marietta, Georgia. AFP

People cheer during a Latino meet and greet and literature distribution rally in Marietta, Georgia. AFP

Senate candidate Jon Ossoff removes his mask before speaking at a literature distribution rally in Marietta, Georgia. AFP

Voters were offered custom stickers and cloth face masks after participating in the final voting at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium for Georgia's US Senate runoff election in Atlanta, Georgia. EPA

Trump supporter Gary White waves his flags as Republican Senator from Georgia Kelly Loeffler participates in a campaign event in Woodstock, Georgia, USA. EPA

Republican Senator from Georgia Kelly Loeffler participates in a campaign event in Woodstock, Georgia, USA. EPA

Democratic Georgia US Senate candidates Jon Ossoff and Reverend Raphael Warnock participate in a dual campaign event during the final week of early voting in their US Senate runoff election in Stonecrest, Georgia, USA. EPA

Democratic Georgia US Senate candidates Jon Ossoff and Reverend Raphael Warnock participate in a dual campaign event during the final week of early voting in their US Senate runoff election in Stonecrest, Georgia, USA. EPA

Democratic Georgia US Senate candidates Jon Ossoff and Reverend Raphael Warnock participate in a dual campaign event during the final week of early voting in their US Senate runoff election in Stonecrest, Georgia, USA. EPA

Georgia Democratic Senate candidate Raphael Warnock speaks to the crowd during an "It's Time to Vote" drive-in rally in Stonecrest, Georgia. AFP

US Senator David Perdue speaks during a campaign event as he runs for re-election at the Olde Blind Dog Irish Pub, in Milton, Georgia. Reuters

Senators Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue high five each other as Mr Perdue takes the stage to speak during a campaign event in Milton, Georgia. AFP

Ivanka Trump, Assistant to the President, speaks during a campaign rally for Republican Georgia Senators Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue. AP

US President Donald Trump and president-elect Joe Biden will head to Georgia in the coming days to campaign before a vote that will decide which party controls the Senate for the next two years.

Kamala Harris, the vice president-elect, is campaigning for Democrats in Savannah on Sunday. The next day, Mr Biden will appear in the state capital Atlanta and Mr Trump will lead a rally for the Republican candidates in Dalton.

In a tweet on Wednesday, Ms Harris urged Georgians to “get out and vote” for the two Democratic candidates in an unusual double run-off, saying it is “within our power to change the course of our country’s history”.

On January 5, Georgia voters will choose between Republican senator David Perdue and his Democratic challenger Jon Ossoff, and Republican senator Kelly Loeffler and Democrat Raphael Warnock.

None of the candidates got more than 50 per cent in the November 3 general election, leading to a run-off that has garnered national attention thanks to a knife-edge balance of power in the 100-seat US Senate.

If the Democrats win both Georgia races, the Senate would be split 50-50 with Republicans, giving the tiebreaking vote to Mr Biden’s deputy in his incoming administration, Ms Harris, and control of both chambers to the Democrats.

A double win for Democrats in Georgia would make it easier for Mr Biden to pass laws on immigration, healthcare and other parts of his legislative agenda once he takes control of the White House on January 20.

Millions of Georgians have already cast ballots in the run-offs and record-breaking sums of hundreds of millions of dollars have been spent on campaigns. Polling in both races is tight, meaning the chances of a double-Democrat win are slim.

In the November 3 general election, the Georgia results were so close that it took 10 days for television networks to project Mr Biden had won the state. The results of the senate run-off votes could be similarly slow, analysts say.

The National takes a look at the four candidates:

David Perdue, 71, is the former chief executive of Reebok athletic brand and a retail chain and one of the wealthiest congressmen. He joined the Senate in 2014 with a desire to "shake up Washington" and is one of Mr Trump's "closest allies", he says on his website.

Jon Ossoff, 33, is a documentary filmmaker and investigative journalist who has never held public office. He promises to work to improve healthcare, increase clean energy production and roll back the damage of the Trump era.

Kelly Loeffler, 50, was appointed to her Senate seat last year to serve out the unfinished term of former senator Johnny Isakson. She describes herself as a conservative businesswoman, a political outsider and a Trump loyalist who will fight "radical socialism".

Raphael Warnock, 51, is the pastor of a well-known African-American church in Atlanta where Martin Luther King used to preach. He says he will work to improve health care and fight for struggling Georgia families.