Lola Green, a disabled United Air Force veteran, mother, and Atlanta resident, stepped to the podium inside the Democratic Party of Georgia office in the IBEW building. Green fought back tears as she explained some of the hardships she has had to suffer while raising an autistic 10-year-old son in this economy.
“The state of affairs with families is defeated,” Green said. She works with Urban Indigo, an Atlanta-based organization that helps families with neurodivergent and neurotypical children. She said under the Trump Administration, the work has turned to helping families afford groceries, pay utilities, afford childcare, and make ends meet.
“It’s hurtful as a parent, it’s hurtful as a Georgian,” she said.
Green said Georgians need a senator who will challenge the Trump administration on behalf of his or her constituents. “Helping parents in Georgia doesn’t look like cutting a billion dollars in program funding. The people at the bottom get hit the most. My community is getting hit the most.”
The Democratic Party of Georgia hosted a press conference to address United States President Donald J. Trump’s trip to Georgia on Thursday, Feb. 19. This would be the first time the two-term president had been in the Peach State since he campaigned for a second term in 2024. Trump was in Rome to show a sign of support for the Republican Party and for the Republicans running for District 14’s vacant Congressional seat, which was once held by a friend-turned-foe, Marjorie Taylor Greene.
Democratic Party of Georgia Chair Charlie Bailey and State Rep. Bryce Berry (D-56) addressed the media this morning. During Bailey’s 10 minutes behind the podium, he used the word “fools” to refer to Republicans who will be looking forward to welcoming the president.
“I find it interesting. I think it’s going to be bad for anyone running as a republican,” Bailey said. “I’m told he’s going to lecture to the people of Georgia about how he’s done wonderful things for them, and lowered their prices, and that this economy is just amazing.
“Here’s the truth: what Donald Trump will display today is what he displays every day, and that he cares way more about himself than he does any person in this country, particularly hard-working Georgians.”
Bailey said Trump’s economy has only helped big corporations and Trump’s family and friends. The most recent job report numbers have Georgia’s unemployment numbers higher than last month and late last year. “It’s the highest monthly layoffs since 2009, I was still in law school, and that’s a long time ago,” Bailey said. “This is what Donald Trump and the Republican betrayal of working people has brought us.”
Early voting for the District 14 special election began on Monday and will run through Friday, March 6, with election day on Tuesday, March 10. With 17 people vying for the seat, a runoff on April 7 is likely.
Shawn Harris, a Democratic candidate and veteran, is the only Black person running for the North Georgia seat. Harris lost an election bid to Greene in 2024.
Bailey said District 14 is not a battleground district for Republicans, so Trump’s visit could be seen as a sign. “Trump might be worried,” said Bailey.
Berry said there was only one reason Trump was visiting Georgia. “There’s a reason the president is coming here today. He’s coming to lie,” Berry said. “The people see that with their own eyes.”