Despite being drawn out of her district for the second time, U.S. Congresswoman Lucy McBath, D-Georgia, once again flashed a smile as she filed papers to run for Congress. This time in the newly-drawn 6th Congressional District.
In December, Georgia Republicans claimed they spent a lot of time and effort putting forth a redrawn map that complies with Judge Steve C. Jones’s order.
McBath, who has been representing the 7th Congressional District the last two years, immediately responded to Jones’ ruling by declaring her intention to run in the 6th Congressional District this year. The redrawn 6th is much friendlier turf for a Democrat. It includes portions of Cobb, Douglas, Fulton, and Henry Counties, plus a few Atlanta neighborhoods.
On Monday, McBath said despite being drawn out of her district again, she remains focused on the tasks at hand.
“I’m really doing as I’ve always done: just meeting my voters where they are,” explains McBath. “I am happy to represent any Georgia resident. I will continue to work on those policies that are important to them: reducing the cost of their prescription drugs and making sure that everyone has access to quality, affordable health care, making sure that we are developing and expanding our workforce and making sure that students and people are able to be viable in their communities.
During her time in Congress, McBath has been a bone of contention for Georgia Republicans. McBath was elected in 2020 to represent the state’s 6th Congressional District, which had previously been held by Republican Karen Handel. At that time, Georgia’s Sixth Congressional District was a Republican stronghold. When she beat Handel, McBath was drawn out of the district by Georgia Republicans. In 2022, McBath ran in the former 7th Congressional District, setting up a primary matchup against Carolyn Bourdeaux. She beat Bourdeaux and in response, Georgia Republicans shifted the 7th Congressional District to Republicans.
The new 7th now extends north through heavily Republican Forsyth, Dawson, and Lumpkin counties as well as portions of Cherokee and Hall counties.
McBath did not say she grew tired of the conversations surrounding redistricting, but reiterated she’s focused on doing keeping her word and doing the work.
“We keep having these discussions over and over again, but I’m happy to represent any constituent,” McBath said of her redrawn district. “I’m happy to continue to do the work. And I have decided as I have in every election, I will not let the extremist Republicans determine when my work in Congress is done. I will let the people decide.”
Cobb County Commissioner Jerica Richardson and state Rep. Mandisha Thomas of South Fulton are running against McBath in the Democratic primary.
A Prelude to 2026?
These elections may or may not be a harbinger to the gubernatorial race in 2026. There is growing speculation the Democrats may tap McBath to run for Georgia Governor. Monday, McBath addressed the rumors with a high level of contrition.
“I have to say honestly, I’m very flattered every time I hear that,” explained McBath. “And I’m flattered when people are encouraging me to do so. But I’m focused on this race right now. And I have to stay focused on the policies that are important to the people that are really counting on me to represent their interests in Washington.”
Governor Brian Kemp, who is term-limited, has shown a penchant recently for blaming Washington and President Joe Biden for inaction on the southern border, imperfect national policies and recently for the death of Laken Riley in Athens. Why is that important? Kemp could be setting up for a battle for Senator Jon Ossoff’s U.S. Senate seat, according to some Republican observers. The senior Senator is up for re-election in 2026. Be that as it may, in 2024, McBath continues to keep the main thing as the main thing.
“I will do as I’ve always done: I will meet them on their doorsteps of their mailboxes, the radio, I will do everything that I have been doing to try to keep the cost of prescription drugs down, try to make sure that we are creating a climate that is safe for our families and making sure that our children have access to a global education that they deserve,” said McBath. “I’m just excited to represent any constituents that I’m given and I have always been asking God to expand my territory. And if He’s doing so in this way, I’m happy to go wherever I need to go and represent the good citizens of Georgia.”