ATLANTA, Georgia – The Peach State is in play. Despite President Joe Biden winning the state four years ago, the Trump campaign is opening field offices all over the state correlating with the debate.
Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-GA) spoke to the Washington Examiner about the excitement on the ground in Georgia ahead of the debate rematch between Former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden.
“There’s a lot of excitement back home,” Loudermilk said. “People all across the state are organizing to wave Trump signs, to welcome him coming into town.”
Donald Trump’s team is investing in four new campaign offices in Georgia. Loudermilk said the campaign is specifically timing their opening to coincide with the debate, as a number of campaign surrogates will be trouncing through the state ahead of the face-off in Atlanta. RNC Chair Michael Whatley, Lara Trump, Reps. Byron Donalds, Wesley Hunt, and former Cabinet member Ben Carson are all expected to hold events in Georgia leading up to the debate.
Despite criticism of their national organization, people on the ground are excited about the enthusiasm behind Trump’s candidacy.
“There is a ground game, and the ground game is more so on the streets,” Janet Prioleau, an educator, said. “People are talking. So, it’s not necessarily structured the way you would envision a grassroots campaign. It’s more loosely formed.”
Prioleau was previously a lifelong Democrat. Since 2016, Prioleau has been all in on Trump after watching the Hillary Clinton campaign.
“When Trump ran the first time, especially when he ran against Hillary, I kind of saw it as some type of amusement show,” Prioleau said. “But then I realized I did not want this woman to run. I did not want her to be president because there were a lot of things she held dear that totally was against who I am as a Christian and what I want for my country.”
Prioleau said she is not scared about expressing her support for Trump in the way people used to be in the past elections. She, and others with whom the Washington Examiner spoke, feel people are proud to support Trump and no longer have to hide it as they did in 2016 and 2020.
“What’s happening now is a lot different from before. And I think this is what’s going to make a difference because people love Trump and support him,” Gloria Baker, a Trump supporter in Georgia, said.
“This time around is very, very different. It’s real. It’s authentic because we’ve seen what [the Biden] administration has put President Trump through. And we see it in a more authentic way,” Prioleau said.
When it came to Biden’s campaigning in Georgia for minorities, Prioleau was not impressed. She said Biden is failing to relate to black and minority voters.
“It’s not about we’re coming to your church, we’re going to dance with your kids in the park. We’re going to have fried chicken at your front door, President Biden,” Prioleau chastised. “It’s not like that anymore because now we see what the real deal is. Now, you see [Trump’s] campaign? When it comes to minorities, much more authentic.”
Baker said she is enthusiastic about seeing all the young people volunteering for Trump in Georgia.
“We have these young college students that are really involved,” Baker said. “The young people are coming out. They’re realizing what’s really happening in the world.”
As a former educator in Georgia, Baker said the concern bringing her to the polls is about how gender ideology is being pushed in schools.
“I think Biden has hurt children and education,” Baker said. “There is a man and a woman, and children are being confused. I would have so many people in my office because they don’t know what they’re doing. Children are too young to make these decisions. Even middle school and high school, they’re still confused.”
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Baker blames the rise in transgender ideology in schools on the rise in suicide rates for youths. The National Institutes for Health released a study saying people who identify as transgender are 32% to 50% more likely to attempt suicide.
“I am here now to fight for my grandkids, my kids because our world needs help right now, and it’s going in the wrong direction,” Baker said. “I always support [Trump]. He’s been wonderful to help education and fight for causes for children.”
