The fight for Georgia: November election forecasts

September 1st, 2022

This combination image shows Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in Atlanta, left, and Georgia Democratic candidate Stacey Abrams on Dec. 16, 2021, in Decatur, Ga. The governor's race in Georgia between Republican incumbent Kemp and Democratic challenger Abrams promises to be a brutal battle that will further amp up the state's charged political environment. (AP Photo)

On the Thursday edition of “Closer Look,” political strategist and demographer Fred Hicks and Republican political strategist and president of Main Street Network Strategies Julianne Thompson discuss their outlook on the political climate ahead of the November election.

Incumbent Brian Kemp and nominee Stacey Abrams have continued widespread campaigning ahead of the gubernatorial election. In the Senate race, incumbent Raphael Warnock currently polls behind Republican Herschel Walker, according to an Emerson College report noted by Thompson.

“I think the Republicans feel fairly confident going into the November general election,” Thompson said.

Thompson believes rural Georgians will vote in favor of Kemp and forecasts a Republican victory in the November election. She anticipates rising housing and gas prices will drive the voters’ decision.

Hicks highlighted abortion as another pressing issue for November, citing African-American men as an essential demographic for the Democratic Party.

“I believe that Black men will be the deciding factor of this election cycle and going forward,” Hicks said.