The Emory Wheel Since 1919
Emory University’s Independent Student Newspaper
Volume 103, Issue 13
Wednesday, November 9, 2022
Printed every other Wednesday
Abrams falls to Kemp, Senate likely advances to runoff By Matthew Chupack Executive Editor Incumbency prevailed in Georgia’s 2022 gubernatorial race, with Republican Gov. Brian Kemp emerging victorious, securing his second term in the governor’s mansion. In Georgia’s Senate race, incumbent Sen. Rev. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) and Republican hopeful Herschel Walker are projected to advance to a runoff. “It looks like the reports of my political death have been greatly exaggerated,” Kemp said in his victory speech on election night. “It is a great night to be a Georgian.” Kemp outperformed Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams by 7.6 percentage points, with Kemp garnering 2,104,084 votes (53.4%) and Abrams winning 1,805,610 votes (45.8%), as of Nov. 9 at 4:00 a.m. Abrams conceded to Kemp Tuesday evening. “I am doing what is clearly the responsible thing — I am suspending my campaign for governor,” Abrams said in a speech on Tuesday evening. “I may no longer be seeking the office of governor, but I will never stop doing everything in my power to ensure that the people of
Georgia have a voice.” According to various polls, Abrams' weaker performance this election cycle may be due to a decrease in support among Black male voters and a general lack of excitement surrounding the midterm elections among Black voters. Emory College Republicans Chairman Robert Schmad (23C) wrote in an email to the Wheel that he was not surprised Kemp pulled off a comfortable win. “Governor Brian Kemp ran on a policy record of putting the interests of Georgians first, Stacey Abrams ran on a bourgeois progressive culture war,” Schmad wrote. “We look forward to Governor Kemp continuing to protect life and prosperity in the state of Georgia for the next four years.” Young Democrats of Emory President Ash Shankar (23B) did not respond for comment by press time. Other key Georgia races resulted in favorable outcomes for Republicans. Georgia State Rep. and Democratic Secretary of State candidate Bee Nguyen conceded to Republican incumbent Brad Raffensperger Tuesday evening. “The past years haven’t been easy in Georgia — I’m grateful to be in [a]
Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons (left and right) and Office of the Governor (middle)
Emory community reflects on first election cycle under SB 202 By Ashley Zhu Politics Desk The Election Integrity Act of 2021, also known as SB 202, was adopted by the Georgia General Assembly and signed by Gov. Brian Kemp in March 2021. The bill instituted numerous changes relating to voter eligibility, voter registration and election processes. The 2022 midterms are the first election cycle since SB 202 was enacted, which was deemed an “anti-voter law” by protestors and an “election integrity” protector by supporters. Changes under SB 202 Adam Byrnes (21Ox, 23C), a political science major, conducted research on changes implemented under SB 202 alongside Lauren Huiet (21Ox, 23B). According to Byrnes, a major part of the bill was the centralization of state authority, manifested in the alteration of the powers of the secretary of state, the State Elections Board
NEWS Students Vote at Emory Polling Location ... PAGE 2 P
and the General Assembly. Under SB 202, the General Assembly — composed of the House of Representatives and the Senate — will now appoint the head of the State Election Board, a position that was previously filled by an elected secretary of state. The change is listed in section five of the bill, stating that a majority vote in each chamber of the General Assembly is sufficient to fill the position. The chairperson is barred from participating in partisan political activities — including campaign contributions or participation in political party organizations — during their time as a chair, as well as in their two years prior to appointment. “My concern is what happens if, at the county level, you have bad actors who want to disqualify voters for partisan reasons,” Byrnes said. “I think it went too far in terms of centralizing state authority and creating more avenues for bad actors if they get power to make a negative
See SB 202, Page 3
OPINION Abrams' Loss Devastates, Senate Race PAGE 4 Brings Hope ...
Jainee Shah/Contributing Illustrator
race where we can have a phone call & wish each other well,” Nguyen tweeted. “Thank you to the voters in the state of Georgia. You inspire me.” Raffensperger outperformed Nguyen by 9.2 percentage points as of Nov. 9 at 4:00 a.m., with Raffensperger winning 53.2% of votes and Nguyen receiving 44.0% of votes. Additionally, Rep. Nikema Williams (D-5) was reelected to represent Georgia’s fifth congressional district, where Emory University is located. She leads Christian Zimm (15Ox, 17C, 20B, 20L), her Republican opponent, by 64.9 percentage points as of Nov. 9 at 4:00 a.m. Kemp and Abrams previously faced off in the 2018 gubernatorial election, when Kemp won his first term as governor by just 1.4 percentage points. Abrams subsequently refused to concede, flagging alleged voter suppression. Abrams then established Fair Fight Action, a nonprofit dedicated to combating voter suppression in Georgia and across the United States.
Abrams’ key campaign points included expanding Medicaid, investing in education and providing free technical college through need-based financial aid. She is also a proponent of LGBTQ rights, reproductive freedom and strengthening gun safety laws. In contrast, Kemp signed the historic heartbeat bill, which bans most abortions in Georgia after six weeks, and approved legislation allowing permitless carry of a concealed handgun in public. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he passed the Unmask Georgia Act in March, which prohibited public schools from requiring masks. Kemp also implemented a $5,000 teacher pay raise, the largest in Georgia’s history. Georgia’s economy expanded during Kemp’s tenure. During fiscal year 2021, investments grew by 46% and job creation increased 5% above previous Georgia economic development records. Warnock outpaced Walker by 0.5 percentage points, with Warnock receiving 1,941,020 (49.2%) votes while Warnock accumulated 1,922,977 (48.7%) votes, as
of Nov. 9 at 4:00 a.m. However, neither candidate has received over 50% of the vote, so the race will likely advance to a runoff on Dec. 6. Several controversies defined Walker’s campaign, including urging and offering to pay for his ex-girlfriend to get two abortions, spurning his children and faking a law enforcement background. Walker — who proudly claimed he does not know how to spell “politician” — has also been endorsed by numerous controversial figures, including Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, and former U.S. President Donald Trump. Walker is most known for his football career, where he played on the University of Georgia’s 1980 championship team, as well as for the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Giants. Although he does not have a formal background in politics, Trump appointed Walker chairman of the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition.
See SENATE, Page 2
Emory faculty donates $58,997.07 to Warnock, $399.90 to Walker in 2022
Matthew Chupack/Executive Editor
Over the course of 2022, Emory employees have thus far made 5,909 individual donations to U.S. Senate and congressional candidates as well as
related political organizations and political action committees (PACs), totaling $679,760.30. Sen. Rev. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) received $58,997.07 through 531 individual Emory faculty contributions through Warnock for Georgia and the
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By Andrew Roisenberg Contributing Writer
Warnock Victory Fund, according to Federal Election Commission (FEC) data. Of these donations, 525 contributions totaling $55,707.47 went to Warnock for Georgia. Far fewer Emory employees donated
See MAJORITY, Page 2