After a bruising 2020 cycle, Republicans are still ensnared in the same nasty internal battles that cost the GOP both of Georgia’s Senate seats. With former Senator David Perdue announcing today he would rather spend time at his Sea Island estate than on the campaign trail, two other losing GOP candidates — unelected (and now former) Senator Kelly Loeffler and former Congressman Doug Collins — are setting up a potential scorched-earth relitigation of their bitter 2020 battle that threatens to further stoke the flames of divisive infighting in the state.
Loeffler and Collins allies are already “pointing fingers” and blaming each other for Loeffler’s runoff defeat. Loeffler herself is openly accusing Collins of teaming up with Democrats to attack her and hurting other Republicans on the ticket. Collins allies are actively urging Loeffler to sit 2022 out, with Collins’ former spokesperson brutally describing Loeffler’s options as being “hated or forgotten.” Meanwhile, former President Trump is reportedly “very focused on McConnell and Kemp and retribution.”
“Georgia Republicans are trapped with the same failed unethical politicians who can’t stop relitigating their last campaign because they’re always looking out for themselves,” said DSCC spokesperson Stewart Boss. “While Kelly Loeffler and Doug Collins continue their political food fight, Senator Reverend Warnock is focused on delivering for his state — starting with critical pandemic relief — and providing the moral leadership Georgians deserve during this public health and economic crisis.”
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: ‘A mess.’ Georgia politicians prepare for brutal 2022 battles
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: The Jolt: Kelly Loeffler’s message for past (and future?) rival, Doug Collins
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