Running in the R Primary:
1) Cong Mike Collins endorsed by Trump and the man to beat in the primary.
2) Cong Earl (Buddy) Carter, Trump supporter not endorsed by Trump. His ads say “Buddy”. He is on the ballot as “Earl”. That alone loses him many votes.
3) Derek Dooley of TN whose ancestors were loved in GA, especially UGA Bulldog football. 30% of R voters (like me) came to GA after the Dooly football glory days and the name means nothing to us. Dooly is supported by Gov Brian Kemp, who chickened out of himself running.
So far none of the above 3 has made any highly visible move.
Kemp won because he had a ground game. Nobody else has a ground game worth mentioning.
The Dems have an effective ground game...getting out their unmotivated voters. If the Dems win it will be because the Republicans lacked a ground game.
Is the main election this year or next?
Trump ran a great campaign in 2024.
1. Economic Concerns and Inflation
2. Immigration and Border Security
3. Law and Order.
4. Weaponization of the Federal Government / Perceived political targeting
Trump had a nuanced approach towards the abortion issue because he wanted to maintain support among conservative supporters at the same time trying to appeal to moderate and independent voters who are pro-choice and may have voted for the Democratic Party in the aftermath of the Dobbs decision in 2022.