Warnock rallies LaGrange crowd for Reynolds

LaGrange, Ga. (AP), U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock led a rally for Georgia Secretary of State nominee Judge Penny Brown Reynolds at a local church on Sunday. The event marked the latest effort by Georgia Democrats to mobilize voters in what they describe as a winnable race for a key state office.

Warnock, who is running for a new term, arrived in the town to address a crowd gathered for the final push before Election Day Tuesday. The senator, known for his work across the state, used the platform to connect the local race to national themes of voting rights and economic fairness.

The rally began with a historical review of voting obstacles. Warnock cited the story of Rev. Otis Moss, who walked all day in LaGrange to find the correct voting station but was told he was in the wrong place. Moss never cast a ballot and died the following year. Warnock linked this local history to the broader struggles of the Civil Rights Movement, including Selma and the murder of Medgar Evers.

"Our ballot is bloodstained," Warnock told the audience. He then shifted focus to the current presidential administration, claiming the president has already attempted to interfere in the election by questioning outcomes based on who wins. Referencing the 2020 election, Warnock warned, "If anyone asks Reynolds to find them 11,700 votes, she’s hanging up."

Judge Reynolds, the Democratic nominee, outlined her platform during the event. She detailed her background beyond the bench, including her work with the Agricultural Department and her service under former Governor Roy Barnes. Reynolds pledged to streamline the state's licensing processes and continue efforts to combat senior fraud. She argued that high prices at the pump and in grocery stores impact voters of all parties.

"America is the land of abundance, not scarcity," Reynolds stated. In a separate interview, she discussed other forms of fraud targeting the military, the disabled, and younger voters. She referenced a recent $76 million Ponzi scheme that affected Republican voters as well. The leader of that scheme was sentenced to 15 years in prison and ordered to pay restitution.

Warnock also addressed his priorities for the 2027 legislative session. He called for an end to what he termed a "lawless war of choice" that is driving up diesel prices. He criticized tariffs as functioning like a sales tax on the poor and vowed to reverse healthcare cuts from the "Big Beautiful Bill." He also highlighted the need for a housing affordability plan.

To energize the Get Out The Vote effort, Warnock used humor to appeal to male voters. He urged women to tell their husbands that it will be a "long cold winter" if they do not vote. He also joked that young women could write their phone numbers on the voting cards of single men. The crowd, despite the late hour, appeared energetic and ready for the upcoming election.

The Democratic nominee faces state legislator Tim Fleming in the race. The Secretary of State role is responsible for certifying elections and overseeing state voting records. Democrats are aiming to place Reynolds in that position to manage the 2028 election cycle. The campaign plans to continue its door-to-door and phone banking operations through Monday night to reach unaffiliated voters in the county.