Dem
47
GOP
53
Rep. Lucy McBath (D-GA) has filed her first papers to run for governor of Georgia. She has hinted at a run before, but now she is starting the process. If she runs and wins, she would be the first Black woman elected governor in any state. There have been numerous women elected as governor, and some Black men, but never a Black woman.
If McBath is the Democratic nominee, that could have a major effect on the Senate. Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA) is up for reelection. He was on the ballot together with Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-GA) in 2020. Warnock brought out large numbers of Black voters who also voted for Ossoff while they were there. This time he might have trouble getting Black voters to show up. However, if McBath is the Democratic nominee for governor, Black turnout could be high again, and that could help Ossoff enormously. Of course, McBath is far from winning the Democratic nomination. Other candidates are likely to jump in, possibly including Stacey Abrams, who is also Black. (V)