“ATLANTA (AP) — Candidates for one of two U.S. Senate seats still hanging in the balance will face off in a debate that is drawing strong interest beyond Georgia. That is because the seat — now held by incumbent Republican Kelly Loeffler and being challenged by Democrat Raphael Warnock — is one of two that will tip control of the Senate to either Republicans or Democrats. Loeffler and Warnock face off Sunday at 7 p.m. ET in a debate sponsored by the Atlanta Press Club. Although Warnock has sought additional debates, none have been scheduled yet, meaning this could be the only head-to-head debate between the two candidates. The other Senate seat still undecided is between Georgia Republican U.S. Sen David Perdue, who has declined to meet Democratic challenger Jon Ossoff in additional debates after the two jousted twice before the general election. Ossoff will get a solo platform Sunday to make his case. The runoffs will determine which party controls the U.S. Senate, prompting a huge wave of money and organizing effort trying to get Georgians to vote again on or before Jan. 5. The state’s voters cast a narrow majority of ballots for Democrat Joe Biden in November, but Perdue outran President Donald Trump while Ossoff trailed Biden. Republicans currently hold a 50-48 edge in the Senate, but if Democrats win both races, Vice President Kamala Harris would cast the tiebreaking vote in the incoming Joe Biden administration, giving Democrats control. Republicans will retain their current majority even if they win only one of the two races. In both races, a runoff is required under Georgia state law because no candidate reached 50% in November. Perdue fell just short of defeating Ossoff because a Libertarian candidate won a small slice of the vote, while Warnock led Loeffler in a 20-way field in which no candidate came close to 50%. The Republicans are attacking their Democratic opponents as socialists and radicals, saying giving control to the party would lead to unacceptable consequences. Democrats are attacking the stock trading activity of Perdue and Loeffler, saying it proves the two are rich people who care more for their own pocketbooks than for people suffering from the COVID-19 pandemic. Loeffler and Perdue rallied Saturday in Valdosta with Trump, who came to the state to support the candidates despite continuing questions over whether Trump’s unproven attacks on Georgia’s presidential balloting will cause some of his Republican supporters to shy away from voting in the runoffs. Loeffler and Perdue rallied Friday in Savannah with Vice President Mike Pence. Warnock and Ossoff held a virtual rally Friday with former President Barack Obama.
Puerto Rico Becomes Flashpoint In Jon Ossoff’s Senate Race In Georgia
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["Getty Images Former Rep. Luis Gutiérrez (D), at right, has withdrawn his support from Georgia Democrat Jon Ossoff's Senate campaign pending assurances about Puerto Rican self-determination. Former Rep. Luis Gutiérre...
Sen. Kelly Loeffler’s Husband Bought Stock In Sectors Set To Benefit From Then-Secret Bill
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["ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images GOP Sen. Kelly Loeffler faces a runoff election in January that will help determine control of the U.S. Senate for the next two years. In mid-March, with the American e...
COVID-19 Deaths, Georgia Elections And Trump Pardons: Views From HuffPost Readers
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["HuffPost Illustration In a recent poll, one of HuffPost members’ top-requested features was a roundup of reader comments. Every week, HuffPost editors read your comments on our top stories and highlight those that c...
Once Again, Georgia Certifies Election Results Confirming Biden’s Win
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["ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia’s top elections official on Monday recertified the state’s election results after a recount requested by President Donald Trump confirmed once again that Democrat Joe Biden won the state, and ...
Kelly Loeffler’s Repetitive ‘Radical Liberal’ Debate Attack Inspires Drinking Game
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["Twitter users following Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler’s (R) debate against her Democratic opponent were so awed at her relentless repetition of the attack phrase “radical liberal” that they were inspired to talk up a ...
Sen. Kelly Loeffler Torched For Claiming There’s ‘Not A Racist Bone In My Body’
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["Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.), a vociferous opponent of the Black Lives Matter movement, claimed Sunday that “there is not a racist bone in my body.” The senator infuriated critics with the remark during her debate wi...
Trump’s ‘Stupid’ Gov. Kemp Call ‘Bordered On Criminality’: Former Senate Leader Harry Reid
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["President Donald Trump’s Saturday phone call to Georgia’s Republican Gov. Brian Kemp “bordered on criminality,” former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) told CNN. Trump called Kemp to demand that the govern...