Georgia Senate runoff race could determine Alabama’s political future

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WAFF) - All eyes are on the state of Georgia. Voters in the Peach State are casting their ballots in two key U.S. Senate runoffs that will determine whether Democrats or Republicans control the chamber.

Democrats need to win both contests to take control of the Senate from the Republicans. Republicans need at least one win to keep President-elect Joe Biden and the Democratic led House in check. You may be thinking, why does what happens in Georgia matter?

The outcome of this election could have major implications on Alabama.

“Total ballots cast going into election day of 3 million 93 thousand 376,” said Gabriel Sterling, Georgia Voting System Manager.

Control of the U.S. Senate is on the line.

Democrats are going toe-to-toe with Republicans in a highly contested run off election in Georgia. One party is hoping for a victory to advance president elect Joe Biden’s agenda. The other party is hoping to block it. It all comes down to what voters decide. A tumultuous contest that could have a major impact on Alabama.

“This is extremely critical to our country who wins this race,” said Huntsville attorney Mark McDaniel.

McDaniel also sits on the NASA Advisory Council’s Human Exploration Committee. Alabama has a vested interest in the Georgia senate runoff, McDaniel saying there’s a lot on the line depending on how the vote goes.

“For the state of Alabama, more important, locally, the impact would be very significant in that you’ve got Senator Richard Shelby who is the second most powerful person in the U.S. Senate. The issue would be whether he is going to be chairman of the senate appropriations committee or ranking member. If he’s chairman he controls that committee if he’s a ranking member he don’t control that committee. You have democratic control of it, okay. If the Republicans win Georgia, Senator Shelby will hold on to his chairman ship to the powerful committees that he chairs. It has a significant impact on our state and our community. That’s the importance of the Georgia Senate race. For the nation its significant, for the world it’s significant who controls the U.S. Senate,” said McDaniel.

A wait and see win that could potentially change the framework of our country.

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