Obama returns to Atlanta amid record runoff turnout

December 1st, 2022

Former President Barack Obama, center, stands with Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams and candidate for U.S. Senate, Sen. Raphael Warnock D-Ga., during a campaign rally Friday, Oct. 28, 2022, in College Park, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Former President Barack Obama is back in Georgia for one more 2022 campaign stop ahead of the December 6 runoff election.

Obama will rally voters tonight for Democratic Senator Raphael Warnock before Tuesday’s election.

A month ago, Obama kicked off his midterm travel schedule with a rally near the Atlanta airport for Warnock and other Georgia Democrats. Now, Warnock is the last one standing.

To beat Republican Herschel Walker, Warnock needs to get supporters back to the polls one more time – and persuade voters who stayed home in November.

The turnout rate for the November election fell from 2018 – especially among Black and Hispanic voters.

Democrats want to replicate Obama’s coalition of voters. He’s especially potent in an era where President Biden’s approval ratings are underwater in Georgia.

Former President Trump meanwhile has endorsed Walker, but is reportedly staying away from Georgia before the runoff.