It wasn’t a surprise to Georgia’s Bernie Sanders supporters that he didn’t win here. Many polls, including one by WABE, showed Democratic rival Hillary Clinton had a strong lead in the Peach State.
But Sanders’ supporters, inspired by his raw manner of speaking and lack of political polish, didn’t seem to be discouraged by the drubbing he took in the South.
“As Bernie has said, ‘It’s a marathon, not a sprint,’” said Sanders campaign volunteer Christina Kroon. “While there’s other candidates who say, ‘I will fight for you,’ he’s the only one who says, ‘I will fight with you. I will stand with you. I am one of you. Your pain is my pain.’ I think that’s going to resonate with the American people.”
Kroon, a student at Kennesaw State University, said she spends her spare time volunteering for Sanders’ campaign.
She wasn’t alone in her optimism, despite Clinton’s win here and in other Southern states. State Rep. LaDawn Jones, D-Atlanta, who is also Sanders’ Georgia campaign director, said it’s not over yet.