Jackson, Kemp push local angle

Rick Jackson is campaigning alongside Governor Brian Kemp to separate his gubernatorial bid from the national political environment. The two met at DeKalb-Peachtree Airport on Tuesday to discuss their shared record. Kemp, who is finishing his second term in January, told supporters to focus on Georgia’s achievements rather than federal politics. He stated that the election is about the community and the state, not what is happening in Washington.

Kemp has occupied the governor's mansion since 2003, when Sonny Perdue became the first Republican governor since Reconstruction. An Atlanta Journal-Constitution poll released this month found that nearly 70% of Georgians approve of Kemp's performance. The same poll indicated that 52% of residents believe the state is moving in the right direction. These numbers contrast with federal approval ratings, where only 42% of respondents approved of President Donald Trump's performance.

The disparity in approval ratings has led some state Republicans to emphasize local governance. Emory University political science professor Andra Gillespie noted that the national mood is anti-Republican this cycle. She explained that this sentiment is exacerbated by Trump's low approval rating. Gillespie said Jackson is trying to attach himself to Kemp's record of success. She described the challenge as determining whether Jackson can claim another person's track record and be taken seriously.

Jackson has recently visited rallies hosted by Trump in Georgia. He appeared on stage with the president in Perry on Saturday and in Dalton the previous week. After a reporter asked about campaigning with Trump, Jackson clarified his role. He said, "I didn’t campaign, I visited the rally." Jackson told reporters that he believes Georgians understand the difference between federal and state issues. He argued that a governor's decisions affect every resident in the state daily, regardless of who is president.

Democrats are taking the opposite approach by linking their opponents to the White House. Keisha Lance Bottoms, Jackson's Democratic rival, said that nationalizing the race is fair play. She stated that Georgia is an important part of what happens across the country. Bottoms noted that sending two senators to Washington changed the landscape of America. She added that the party wants to take all the energy and support it can get from the national stage.

Jason Shepherd, a political science professor at Kennesaw State University, said this strategy is standard for midterms with an unpopular president. Shepherd, a former chair of the Cobb County Republican Party, said state and local leaders often have a greater impact on average citizens than federal officials. He argued that the White House and Congress do not fix potholes or determine school success. He said that not liking what is happening in Washington does not translate to how best to govern the state.

Voters in Cobb County and across Georgia will cast their ballots in the coming days. Early voting ends on Friday, with more than 2 million ballots already cast. Election Day is Tuesday. The race between Jackson and Bottoms remains tight as both candidates seek to define the final stretch of the campaign.