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2. That’s it – enjoy some R & R and get ready for the General Election!

Election Recap

In one of the most important years for American democracy, Georgia, a swing state, saw Republican incumbents dominate primary night. Despite low early voting turnout, an increase in election day voters saw a roughly average turnout for the state. Georgia Democrats will need to do much better in November if they want to defeat Republican extremism.

Georgia Supreme Court

Like several other states, since Roe v. Wade was overturned, this was Georgia's first real chance at a referendum on reproductive rights. Challenger John Barrow fell short (10 points) behind incumbent Andrew Pinson, backed by a last-minute half-million dollar investment by Republican Governor Brian Kemp.

Georgia Legislature Primaries

Recap of The 2030 Project’s 2024 Targeted Districts:

• HD-145 Juawn Jackson finished first but didn't reach the 50% required to avoid a runoff, so both Jackson and Tangie Herring are heading to a runoff.

• HD-56 Bryce Berry won the primary with 54% of the vote. Given the partisan lean of this district, it is safe to say Bryce will be the only public school teacher to serve in the legislature once sworn in in 2025. 

• SD-48 Ashwin Ramaswami went unopposed in his primary. This Gen Z candidate, who went to Stanford for a degree in cybersecurity and then on to Georgetown Law, is running against Republican Shawn Still, an indicted co-conspirator alongside Donald Trump indicted for attempting to overturn the 2020 election.

With no Senate and Governor races on the ballot this year, the GA Legislature is Top of Ticket behind Biden/Harris. We know that from the Run for Something study that reverse coattails greatly impact the top of the ticket.

The Other SEC: Southeastern Catastrophe

Alarming Legislation and Proposals Consuming State Legislatures in the South

Alabama's Fight to Threaten Women's Privacy and Autonomy

Amid Mother's Day celebrations, Alabama Senator and State of the Union Responder Katie Britt attempted to build a support team around a new legislative proposal called the "More Opportunities for Moms to Succeed Act" or "MOMS Act." The bill calls for the launch of a new website, Pregnancy.gov, which would offer pregnancy resources and create a federal database for storing information on pregnant individuals.

While harmless on the surface, it poses catastrophic effects on women across the country. Tracking, intimidating, and using coercion to influence pregnant women is undoubtedly the goal of this proposal. This all aligns with Southern Republicans' plans to weaponize the government against women looking to make their own decisions about their pregnancies, such as steering them away from abortion clinics. Moreover, information within the database would give government bureaucrats a direct ability to monitor women's pregnancy status, a clear infringement on privacy. 

Proposals such as this electrify the need to elect Democrats to state legislatures everywhere, especially in Georgia, to keep harmful bills like this from passing and affecting our everyday lives.

Tennessee's Concealed Carry Bill in Schools: A Dangerous Step Back for Gun Safety

In late April, Tennessee House Republicans passed a bill that would allow some teachers and staff to conceal carry handguns in public schools. This bill includes provisions that prevent teachers and parents from knowing which teachers are armed. The bill was sent to Republican Governor Bill Lee and is waiting to be signed into law. 

This expansion of gun access in the state would be the largest expansion since the deadly school shooting at a private elementary school in Nashville last year. The bill is widely opposed by the public, especially mothers across the state. 

The bill's sponsor, Republican state Rep. Ryan Williams, believes the bill to be a deterrent, but any competent American knows that the solution to gun violence is NOT more guns. If legislators were really concerned about gun violence in schools, they wouldn't consistently dismiss the common-sense gun control measures continuously proposed by Democrats. 

Unfortunately, gun control is not a priority in state legislatures. Republicans, such as those in Tennessee, are clearly more concerned with proposing policies consistent with their NRA stances and donations, rather than prioritizing the lives of the American people. Republicans' misdirected priorities were also seen in the Georgia legislature's failure to pass a bill last session that would have provided tax credits for firearm owners who purchased gun safety devices. 

No Abortions for Minor Rape Victims in Louisiana

Louisiana, one of ten states within the Bible Belt, has faced ongoing battles over its strict abortion laws. Of the 14 states with total abortion bans, six have exceptions for cases of rape, and five have exceptions for incest. 

Louisiana, however, does not have these exceptions. In early May, Louisiana's GOP-controlled legislative committee rejected a bill that would exempt cases of race and incest as exceptions to their abortion ban. In this red state, where even some Democrats oppose abortion rights, the bill was voted down 4-7 along party lines. 

State Rep. Delisha Boyd (D) proposed an amendment to the bill, aiming to apply exceptions to those 17 and younger, hoping to allow minors who have experienced rape or incest the opportunity for abortion. She recounted that her mother was a victim of rape and was forced to carry the pregnancy to term. 

Republicans criticized Boyd for using her mother's story to advocate for the bill's passing. For instance, GOP state Rep. Tony Bacala questioned the Democratic State Representative by stating, "Aren't you glad to be here?" After an emotional hearing, Boyd told the Associated Press, "You're then telling me to consider her life less important than my life," in response to the GOP state Republican's statement.

The overturning of Roe v. Wade ended the right to abortion, with the exception only if there is a substantial risk of death or impairment to the mother during pregnancy or in cases of "medically futile pregnancies." Even when hearing testimonies from rape survivors and other women wanting abortions, doctors' hands are tied under this law. 

The Journal of the American Medical Association found that between July 2022 and January 2024, there were more than 64,000 pregnancies resulting from rape in states where abortion has been banned in all or most cases. 

The 2030 Project aims to improve the lives of Georgians by passing abortion rights, gun safety, and pro-LGBT+ legislation. Through year-round organizing, we can make the dreams Georgians want a reality. 

For more information or to get involved with the Georgia 2030 project, visit our website.

The 2030 Project Meets the Fayette Democratic Women

The Fayette Democratic Women's organization is a dynamic force within Fayette County, dedicated to advancing the principles of the Democratic Party and advocating for the rights and interests of women in both local and national politics. Committed to fostering inclusivity and diversity, the organization provides a platform for women to engage in meaningful discussions, organize grassroots initiatives, and participate in community outreach programs. Through its activities, workshops, candidate forums, and voter registration drives, the Fayette Democratic Women's organization empowers women to participate actively in the democratic process, driving positive change and promoting progressive values within their communities.

On Saturday, the Fayette Democratic Women graciously hosted The 2030 Project to share our core mission of flipping the Georgia State Legislature through year-round organizing. 

It was an honor to be a part of their program, which included everything from role-playing canvassing and phone banking to hearing from local candidates on the May 21st ballot to a detailed analysis of the early voting numbers in Fayette County. The program was informative, educational, and engaging on so many levels – and we here at The 2030 Project learned a lot about how to make political activism not only more personal, but how to tie it to people's everyday lives. We truly felt fortunate to be part of such a unique and innovative event.

From promoting gender equality, advocating for reproductive rights, championing social justice causes, and their commitment to electing Democrats up and down the ballot, the Fayette Democratic Women stand as a beacon of empowerment and inspiration for women throughout the region and all across Georgia. With its like-minded mission and purpose, The 2030 Project looks forward to partnering with the Fayette Democratic Women in 2024 and beyond.

To learn more about the Fayette Democratic Women, you can find their website here: Home - Fayette Democratic Women

Finally, a special thanks to the President of the Fayette Democratic Women, Chandra Wright, their Treasurer and All Things Voting Coordinator, Tommie Campbell, and The 2030 Project's own Gloria Moore, for all of their hard work in bringing these two organizations together.

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