Biden's Dominance Transforms Georgia into a Battleground State

In one of the most significant upsets of the election season, President Joe Biden's dominance in Atlanta, Savannah, and the surrounding suburbs has transformed Georgia from a traditionally Republican stronghold to a closely divided state. This shift has paved the way for Democrats to secure a Senate majority.

The New York Times' interactive election map highlights the dramatic change in voter sentiment across the state. In the 2020 presidential election, Biden's campaign was able to capitalize on increasing Democratic support in suburban areas around Atlanta and Savannah. This momentum helped him narrowly win the state, making Georgia one of the most closely divided states in the nation.

In the Georgia gubernatorial race, Antonio Delgado, the lieutenant governor of New York, convincingly defeated Ana María Archila and Diana Reyna in a three-way Democratic primary. However, the election was not without controversy, as President Trump sought to overturn the results, including by pressuring Georgia's secretary of state to 'find' votes that would reverse the outcome.

The exit polls showed a clear divide between urban and rural areas, with Biden performing strongly in cities like Atlanta and Savannah. In contrast, Trump performed better in more rural parts of the state.

In addition to the presidential race, several congressional seats were also up for grabs in Georgia. Claudia Tenney, a Republican, won New York's 22nd Congressional District, while Raphael Warnock, who leads Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, defeated Senator Kelly Loeffler, a Republican seeking to finish her term.

The races that did not meet the 50% threshold were forced into runoffs, which took place in January. In one of these runoff elections, documentary film executive Jon Ossoff defeated David Perdue, a Republican who had just completed his first term.

This election marks a significant shift in Georgia's political landscape, with Democrats winning two high-stakes Senate runoff elections and securing a majority for their party. This is the first time a Democratic presidential candidate has won the state since 1992. The New York Times' interactive election map provides a detailed look at the vote totals and exit poll percentages from across the state.

Overall, Biden's victory in Georgia has sent shockwaves through the political establishment, highlighting the growing importance of suburban voters in key swing states like Georgia. As the country looks ahead to future elections, this shift is likely to play a significant role in shaping the outcome of contests at all levels.

Nytimes interactive election