Control of the U.S. House of Representatives (Republicans) and Senate (Democrats) is already set, but the midterms aren’t over yet. On December 6, Georgia will hold a runoff election for the final outstanding U.S. Senate race. Incumbent Democrat Reverend Raphael Warnock will face off against Republican former football player Herschel Walker because neither candidate secured the 50% total of the vote needed to win outright on Election Day.
The outcome will determine if Democrats can expand their majority in the Senate or hold onto the 50-50 split — with Vice President Kamala Harris serving as tie-breaker — that they’ve had for the first two years of the Biden administration. It will also make a big difference for millions of Georgia residents. So there’s a lot at stake.
To break down where the candidates stand on key issues, guides.vote, an independent project hosted by Youth Service America, shared its nonpartisan guide to the runoffs with Teen Vogue. They’ve also put together a voter guide for Georgia residents (yes, you can vote early!).
Learn more below.
Abortion
Ban. Ban abortion with no exceptions. “I believe in life.”
Legal. “Decisions about pregnancy should be made between a patient and their doctor.”
Climate Change
No. “We have some of the cleanest climate in the world,…and we’re talking about climate change?” Described the problem as “bad air” coming from China, and U.S. “good air” going to China.
Yes. “We must accept the science…and combat the climate crisis that is already at our door.” Introduced an act to boost the solar industry and transition to clean energy.
Economy
Decrease regulation. “When you have all these federal regulations, that’s terrible.” The federal government “has a tendency to be overreaching.”
Increase investment. Voted for the Inflation Reduction Act’s major renewable energy investments. Calls for “robust federal fun-ding to create jobs and move our economy forward.” Renew $300-per-child monthly tax credit. “These monthly payments have helped (families) clothe and feed their children, pay for after school and day care.”
Elections
No. The election was stolen. “Everyone knows that something happened in the election.” Charged “serious Election Fraud” in Georgia. Called for a re-vote in the seven closest states.
Yes. Calls denial of the 2020 Presidential election “the Big Lie.” “We have seen sadly a willingness by some to literally burn down the system for short-term political gain.”
Environment
Loosen. “Will fight for fewer government regulations.” The U.S. has “some of the cleanest water;” China and India need to clean up “stuff over there for us to clean ours up.”
Likely tighten. “Our harm to the planet often causes disproportionate impacts on marginalized communities.” The U.S. must address their ”lack of access to clean water and air.”
Gun Laws
Less. Will “vote to confirm Constitutional judges to our courts who will protect our right to bear arms.” We can’t stop violence through “departments that want to take away your rights.”
More. Seeks “reasonable gun reform.” “We are not helpless. Together we can act to reduce gun violence with common sense safety reforms.”
Health Care
No. Wants people to “get off the government health care.” Did not get a coronavirus vaccine “because I don’t think the government should be telling you to get one.”
Yes. “Georgia needs to expand Medicaid.” Voted to expand Medicaid coverage in Georgia and other states that haven’t done so, and to lower drug costs for seniors. Voted for the American Rescue Plan’s support for COVID testing and vaccine purchase and distribution.
Restrict. “The border crisis…is bringing drugs, crime, and human trafficking to our state.” “Will work to secure our southern border.” No position found on DACA.
Create a comprehensive plan. “We need comprehensive immigration reform that fixes our broken system, keeps our nation safe, and provides a reasonable path to citizenship.” Supports a DACA path to citizenship, “you have no right to celebrate the dream if you will not liberate the dreamers.”
Labor
No recent position found. In 2010 supported having a Mixed Martial Arts fighters’ union.
Easier. Supported a pro-union bill to “help strengthen the right to organize.”
Limit. Gay marriage should be determined by each state. About transgender athletes, “it’s written in the Bible…you have two [sexes], there’s a man and a woman and that’s it.”
Expand. “I’m a proud ally of the LGBTQ+ community.” Cosponsored the EQUALITY Act, prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.
Marijuana
No recent position found. In 2013 said, “Marijuana used to be considered so bad. Now states are voting to legalize it. What’s next? Legalizing cocaine?”
Legal. “Decriminalize marijuana now.”
Minimum Wage
Opposes federally mandated minimum wage. “I couldn’t approve that.” Says businesses should be able to pay “what they’re capable of paying.”
Raise. Sponsored a 2021 bill to raise the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour. “$7.25 [is] not a living wage.”
Police and Community
More research and better training. Supported a Senate bill to train police and collect data on police use of force. The bill rejected an alternative that would make it easier to sue following police misconduct.
Reimagine the relationship with communities they serve. Co-sponsored a bi-partisan bill to fund de-escalation training, body cameras, and mental health resources. Appoint independent prosecutors to handle police-involved shootings. “I oppose defunding the police. But we have to respect law enforcement enough to hold them accountable.”
Student Financial Aid
No. Regarding student loan forgiveness, said, “I didn’t co-sign for anyone’s loan and it’s not right. It’s not fair.”
Yes. “I pushed the President to do student debt relief.” “It’s investment in our people.” “It will spur entrepreneurship.” “We need reform… because college is outpacing the cost of everything else.”
