Voter turnout and ideological differences were critical as Georgia voters went to the polls Tuesday for the first Senate race in the state’s history between two black candidates, says Virginia Tech political science expert Brandy Faulkner.

“The question of who will represent the Black community’s interests has long driven voter turnout in Georgia. This time, however, voters were in a unique position of choosing between two Black candidates,” says Faulkner, a collegiate assistant professor of political science in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences.

Faulkner says that we are seeing a continuation of the polarization from the 2016 elections. “The midterm congressional elections have featured many of the same issues across the country--economics, abortion rights, climate change, and second amendment rights are just a few of them.” 

Faulkner says it’s hard to know how the outcome of this election will impact the broader political landscape over the next two years.

“There have been a series of small-edge victories for both Republicans and Democrats,” says Faulkner. “In addition to narrow victories, a lot of campaign money is being spent in both parties, and there's a fierce battle for every single congressional seat. It lets us know that voters are willing to support their values at the polls, and the parties are trying their best to figure out how to take advantage of that.”

About Faulkner
Brandy Faulkner is collegiate assistant professor of political science in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences. Her areas of specialization include constitutional and administrative law, race and public policy, and critical organization theory. She teaches courses in public administration, constitutional law, administrative law, research methods, and the politics of race, ethnicity, and gender. View her full bio here.

Faulkner’s expertise has been featured on NPR, Reuters, USA Today, and in the Atlanta Black Star.

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