Transformation in Georgia’s Local Political Landscape in the Run-Up to the 2024 Elections: The Shadow of the Trump Era

As Stacy Skinner accepted the endorsement of a group named Veterans for Trump, she disclosed that her entry into politics was driven by her perception that Democrats were making inroads at the local level. Although national Republicans like former President Donald Trump have frequently raised concerns about external threats such as China or illegal border crossings, Skinner focuses her campaign for reelection to Johns Creek City Council on local issues. She represents an Atlanta suburb with a population of around 85,000.

At 44, Skinner does not explicitly flaunt her affiliation with Trump, informing inquiring voters in this predominantly Republican community merely that she is “conservative.” Her opponent, Devon Dabney, however, faces scrutiny for being a Democrat.

As the 2024 presidential election looms, the political climate in Johns Creek and other Atlanta suburbs showcases the extent to which national partisan and cultural divisions have permeated local elections. Activists and voters increasingly perceive these nominally non-partisan races as significant battlegrounds for shaping the country’s national identity.

The suburbs surrounding Georgia’s capital city were once strongholds of the state’s Republican establishment. Nowadays, these areas are critical in deciding the outcomes of statewide contests. The changing demographic landscape, particularly the growth in Asian American, Black, and Hispanic communities, has helped Democrats incrementally increase their electoral gains. Furthermore, some Republicans, who still constitute the majority in areas like north Fulton County, have not universally endorsed Trump’s views or those of the Tea Party, which opposes the Washington political establishment.

Local elections still focus on traditional matters such as zoning regulations, sales tax, and public services. However, the national political discourse is increasingly influencing local discussions. This phenomenon can be attributed to various factors, including the decline of local journalism and the consequent focus on national politics, as well as the rising influence of highly engaged and partisan citizens due to lower voter turnout.

In this changing landscape, candidates like Skinner and Dabney tread cautiously when discussing their partisan affiliations. Skinner highlights that her endorsement was more about the veterans rather than Trump, admitting that the current environment is more polarized than necessary. Meanwhile, Dabney, a Black woman, feels unfairly targeted due to her political alignment and racial background, insisting that the election should be nonpartisan and about community needs.

The increased intensity of these local elections is evident in discussions on development and zoning issues, which have become politically charged topics. Historically contentious topics like “high-density” housing now have national parallels, reflected in debates over immigration policies and “sanctuary cities.”

In summary, the run-up to the 2024 presidential elections has intensified the already polarized atmosphere, and nowhere is this more evident than in local elections in places like Johns Creek. National concerns and partisan divisions are increasingly overshadowing the traditional focus on local community needs. This underscores the complexity and challenges that candidates and voters face as they navigate the evolving political terrain.

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More about Georgia local elections

• Demographic Changes in Georgia
• Impact of National Politics on Local Elections
• Partisan Divisions in American Politics
• 2024 Presidential Election: The Battleground States
• Rise and Fall of Local Journalism
• Understanding Zoning and Its Political Implications
• Stacy Skinner’s Campaign
• Devon Dabney’s Campaign
• Fulton County Politics and Elections
• Trump’s Influence on Republican Politics