Georgia House candidate Marjorie Taylor Greene is coming under renewed scrutiny for her racist rhetoric and embracing conspiracy theories as she enters the Republican primary runoff on Tuesday.
Greene, who is facing neurosurgeon John Cowan in the 14th Congress District to replace Retired Rep. Tom Graves
John (Tom) Thomas GravesStates Begins Removing Capitol Confederate Statues at Her Own House Holds Moment of Silence for John Lewis QAnon Wins Scores, Making GOP Problem MORE (R), has made a number of bigotry remarks, such as calling African-Americans “slaves to the Democratic Party.” It has also embraced collusion theories such as those put forward by QAnon.
If Greene wins on Tuesday and in November, she would be the first open QAnon supporter elected to Congress.
And although House GOP leaders have condemned videos showing Greene making racist and Islamophobic remarks, most of the party’s leadership have remained neutral in a runoff whose winner will almost win in November. Several non-partisan political proponents rate the seat as “solid or secure Republican.”
Greene received significant support in the district, gaining 40.3 percent of the vote in the June primary compared to Cowan’s 21 percent.
A recent interview from Cowan’s campaign showed a much tighter race in the runoff run, with the two candidates end of July tied at 38 percent.
But strategists say Cowan must have been too far ahead given the controversy surrounding Greene.
“If she ends up winning, it’s more a reflection of John Cowan’s bad campaign than it is that she’s a much better candidate,” said a Republican strategist in Georgia. “I do not know how he could not have removed her already.”
“He’s a doctor,” said the strategist. ‘Do not underestimate that your doctor is in a pandemic – that’s a whole thing. And the fact is, he could only generate 20 percent of the vote. “
Greene came to intervention in June Politico discovered a trove of videos in which she compared Democratic megadonor George Soros to a Nazi and said that the midterms of 2018 were like an “Islamic invasion of our government,” among other inflammatory statements.
Republican lawmakers were quick to condemn their comments, which came after the primary. Among them was Rep. Jody Hice
Jody Brownlow HiceGOP lawmakers comply with Pelosi’s mask mandate for House Floor Cain honors after death of COVID-19 GOP’s Gohmert introduces resolution banning Democratic Party MEI (R-Ga.), Who played a role in getting Greene to run for the seat.
“I find Marjorie Taylor Greene’s statements shocking and deeply offensive, and I can no longer support her candidacy in the 14th Congress District of Georgia,” Hice said. said in a June 18 statement on Facebook.
Chamber Republican sweep Steve Scalise
Stephen (Steve) Joseph ScaliseRepublicans fears disaster in November Gaetz set to support primary opponent of fellow GOP legislator Hillicon Valley: Trump supports potential Microsoft, TikTok deal, sets September deadline | Chamber Republicans Request Classified TikTok Briefing | Facebook labels manipulate Pelosi video MORE (R-La.) Also condemned Greene’s remarks, calling them ‘disgusting.’ He supports Cowan’s bid.
Cowan also took note of Greene’s comments, saying a runoff victory could threaten other GOP candidates in the state.
‘I want to protect the Republican Party. She is the antithesis of the Republican Party. And she’s just conservative, she’s crazy, ”Cowan said told Politico. ‘She deserves a YouTube channel, not a seat in Congress. She’s a circus act. ”
However, some strategists argue that the controversy surrounding Greene’s comments is more of a focus in Washington circles than they are on the ground in Georgia.
“I think the national media will play this because there’s just a bunch of racism,” the GOP strategist said. ‘I think it’s more’ we will not tell these elite people what we should do. ‘I do not think it is as much about Marjorie Greene as it is about the rural environment. ”
Greene did not return her comments during an interview Affiliate of Chattanooga of ABC late month. Instead, she took the opportunity to criticize “radical Islam” and Sharia law.
“This is not something radical to say, this is how most Americans feel. So when I have these conversations with voters every day, they are 100 percent in agreement with me and they are grateful that I say them because people are tired, tired of political correctness and government, ”Greene said.
She also addressed her comments on the past in support of QAnon, emphasizing her belief that there is a “deep state” in the U.S. government.
“I’m just like the millions of people here in our country and then the millions of people around the world who are very concerned about a deep state in our government, and it’s what you’ve been talking about every day,” Greene said. ‘I mean, people talk about it from Rush Limbaugh to Sean Hannity
Sean Patrick HannitySunday shows preview: White House, Congress Democrats unable to break stalemate over coronavirus relief Tennessee primary battle turns annoying for CNN Republican Ana Navarro to host Biden roundtable on making ‘Trump a one-time president’ MORE. You even hear commentators from the left talking about corruption in our government. ”
Despite the negative media attention, Greene has managed to stay competitive with Cowan on the fundraising front, thanks in part to a loan she made to herself.
Greene had raised $ 1.59 million on July 22, including a $ 900,000 loan. She had spent $ 1.44 million and had roughly $ 143,500 in the bank.
Cowan raised $ 1.2 million during the same period, including a $ 200,000 loan to himself. He spent $ 960,000, and has about $ 237,000 in cash on hand.
Turnout is expected to play a key factor on Tuesday, testing Greene and Cowan’s operations.
“You have to remember, it’s a run-off, so it’s just turnout,” the GOP strategist said. “It’s not like it’s a general election where everyone votes, so it’s a very small number of people who will decide this thing.”
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