JOHNS CREEK, Ga. (AP) — Stacy Skinner, a conservative candidate running for reelection to the City Council of Johns Creek in Atlanta, delivered a speech during an endorsement event held by a group called Veterans for Trump. While she is associated with former President Donald Trump, Skinner prefers to identify as “conservative” rather than openly promoting her Trump affiliation. On the other hand, her opponent, Devon Dabney, faces scrutiny for being a Democrat. These dynamics reflect the growing partisan and cultural divisions that have permeated local campaigns in Atlanta suburbs like Johns Creek since Trump’s 2016 presidential run. Activists and voters now view these typically nonpartisan contests as crucial for shaping the nation’s identity. Betsy Kramer, a Republican Party volunteer backing Skinner, believes voters have the right to know who they are voting for and fears that a Democratic influence could dramatically change the area. Georgia’s suburbs, once the stronghold of the state’s Republican establishment, now play a vital role in determining statewide election outcomes. Atlanta’s surrounding areas have seen increased demographic and political diversity over the years, with growth among Asian American, Black, and Hispanic populations that bolster Democrats’ vote totals. The most recent census revealed a decline in the percentage of Georgia residents identifying as white and non-Hispanic. Some Republicans in north Fulton County have never aligned themselves with Trump and the tea party movement. While Trump underperformed historical Republican advantages in the area during the 2020 election, Brad Raffensperger, who resisted Trump’s bid to overturn the election, won the state Senate seat. Trump’s efforts are now the subject of a racketeering indictment in Fulton County. Despite these national undercurrents, local city halls still primarily focus on zoning issues, development rules, taxes, and service delivery. However, these issues are now discussed in the context of growing partisan influences. The new landscape can be attributed to factors such as reduced local journalism coverage, voter demands centering around cultural debates, and low voter turnout, which gives more power to highly engaged and partisan citizens. Both Skinner and Dabney are cautious in expressing their partisan preferences due to the increasing intensity of local campaigns. Skinner acknowledges Trump’s divisiveness while emphasizing that her endorsement was primarily focused on veterans. Dabney, despite her voting history aligning with the Democratic Party, stresses that the election at hand is nonpartisan and her affiliation shouldn’t matter. Partisan influences also spill into discussions about development, particularly regarding “high-density” construction of residential properties. These debates tie into national rhetoric around issues such as immigration and create divisions between Democrats and Republicans. While some voters in Johns Creek, like Kramer, are concerned about maintaining the city’s demographic, others, like Jason Miller in Roswell, believe that cautious business development should take precedence. The partisan control debate in Roswell has further intensified the competition between “two slates” of candidates. Miller, who identifies as a left-leaning independent, finds himself miscast due to assumptions made by voters based on his stance on various issues. The partisan mindset’s reach has even extended to inquiries about candidate positions on subjects unrelated to local government. Despite the local election atmosphere being overshadowed by national influences, both Skinner and Dabney affirm their commitment to responsible development aligned with the city’s existing master plan. However, Dabney worries that her true positions on key issues are not getting enough attention.
The Impact of the Trump Era on Georgia’s Local Elections: Shaping a Pivotal 2024 Battleground
