Georgia Senate runoff election holds power to change America

On Jan. 5, 2021, Georgians will possess the opportunity to vote in the runoff of the century. This runoff has the power to change who controls the Senate for the first two years of projected President-elect Joe Biden’s presidency. After gaining less than 50 percent of the vote in the November election, Republican Kelly Loeffler and Democrat Raphael Warnock compete for the last two years of retired Sen. Isakson’s term. At the same time, Republican David Perdue and Democrat Jon Ossof battle for a six-year Senate seat.

The Republican party must win one of the two seats in this runoff to retain control of the Senate with a 50 to 49 majority. On the other hand, the Democrat party has to win both seats to have a 50-50 tie in the Senate. The tie breaking vote then goes to Democrat vice-president elect Kamala Harris. If both Democratic candidates prove victorious, the Democratic party will possess control of the Senate, House and Presidency, giving them the power to make many changes in America.

Although Democrats have not won a runoff in Georgia in decades, they are projected to win Georgia in the presidential election, providing hope for the Democratic candidates. All students who can vote in this runoff are urged to do so by both Republican and Democratic parties.

Senior Madeline Gerard expressed her opinion on this upcoming runoff election.

“I gave much consideration to where candidates stand on the issues before voting,” said Gerard. “Perdue and Loeffler stand for values like protections for asserting religious beliefs. They support our law enforcement, and they vote against taxpayers funding abortions.”

Both parties’ candidates have very differing opinions on abortion, law enforcement, gun control, healthcare and other policies. This runoff will decide which party has the power to change laws concerning these issues.

One of the biggest issues in this election runoff is healthcare. Warnock and Ossoff support the Affordable Care Act, striving to make healthcare insurance affordable for those living in poverty, and growing the Medicaid program. On the other side, Perdue and Loeffler debate that Obamacare is too expensive for an average American and provides substandard care.