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Last night Rev. Raphael Warnock and Senator Kelly Loeffler debated for one of the two Georgia runoff seats that will determine who controls the U.S. Senate.
NAACP President Derrick Johnson released the following statement on last night’s debate.
“Tonight, we saw Rev. Raphael Warnock and Senator Kelly Loeffler make their case to the voters of Georgia on how they will address the myriad issues facing our country and why they should represent Georgians in the U.S. Senate. The topics from tonight’s debate including health care, wages, police reform and COVID-19 relief, laid bare why it is imperative to elect leaders capable of taking substantive action to address the issues of importance to the Black community. In a state where nearly 32 percent of its residents are Black, their priorities must be top of mind for whoever will represent Georgians in Washington, DC.
“The balance of the power in the U.S. Senate will be decided by the people of Georgia. Despite the unprecedented, unethical, and unfounded attacks on the election results in Georgia last month, we know that there are forces that are actively trying to depress voter turnout and disenfranchise Black voters. We cannot allow those forces to win. Everything we are fighting for, from criminal justice reform and health care to COVID-19 economic relief, is on the ballot this January. That is why we are urging Black Georgians to come back out in record numbers in this runoff election and vote because not only do their voices matter, but they have the power to move America in the right direction.
“Make no mistake; whoever controls the Senate will help determine the direction of our country. We need to safeguard our civil rights, and the judges that are confirmed by the U.S. Senate will play an integral role in determining the makeup of the federal judiciary. As the economic condition worsens and millions face food and housing insecurity, we need senators who will pass legislation to help our community and not hurt it. Between now and election day, the NAACP is continuing its efforts to educate, engage, and mobilize Black voters in Georgia. There is too much at stake in this election, and we must make our voices heard.
