Published on: 06/11/2022 – 10:54 am Modified on: 06/11/2022 – 10:56 am
Two years ago, white women in the affluent metropolitan suburbs voted for Joe Biden and gave him the presidency. This was also the case in Georgia. In this traditionally very conservative southern state, the same voters had also sent two Democratic senators to Congress in Washington. What is your state of mind today?
With our special correspondent in Georgia, Stephanie Schuler
We are in Alpharetta, a posh town on the outskirts of Atlanta. The weather is mild in early November, and the large meadow in the city center is teeming with families. The atmosphere is relaxed. But everyone is talking about the elections. “To be honest, I wasn’t interested in politics until Donald Trump was elected. I would love to see Georgia become a democratic state! I would like to know Stacey Abrams as governor! It would take us further,” explains Krystin, mother of two.
Stacey Abrams at a campaign event for former Democratic Vice President Joe Biden. Monday, November 2, 2020, at Turner Field in Atlanta. AP Photo/Brynn Anderson
If residents of posh suburbs, traditionally conservative strongholds, are now drawn to the Democratic election, it’s down to a generational shift, the 30-year-old believes. “Here in the South, we’re brought up a certain way. But young people are starting to do research on issues like abortion, health care.”
Krystin lives with her family in Alpharetta, an upscale suburb of Atlanta and a traditional conservative stronghold. However, the 30-year-old and her husband hope that their state will become democratic in the midterm elections. © Stefanie Schuler/RFI
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Only then has another topic been invited into the election campaign and play spoilsport. Kim is 40 years old. “Inflation is really affecting me. Our spending on groceries has risen sharply. With two small children, it is now difficult to make ends meet. People are looking at the record of the current US administration. And some voters who might choose Democrats will give their votes to Republicans.” Without the ability to change the president, Kim explains, American women could take control of Congress from her, like her.
Abortion rights, another campaign issue
In Georgia, abortion is now banned as soon as a fetal heartbeat can be detected, that is, in the sixth week of pregnancy, when most women are not yet aware that they are pregnant. Listen to this report outside of Atlanta’s oldest abortion clinic.
This only increases inequality with people on low incomes and only puts more women at risk
In Atlanta, abortion is the central theme of the campaign