Activist Media Cautiously Optimistic About Georgia Senate Results

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The Georgia Senate runoff races were too close to call for most of the day on Jan. 5. During the lead-up to the election, the activist media were in full spin mode, doing their best to ensure that the Democrats would win control of the Senate. However, their tone has become more subdued as at least one of the races still does not have a clear winner.

What Happened?

When the polls first closed, both Democratic challengers were ahead, likely due to the mail-in ballots, which are typically cast by left-leaning voters. But as the night went on, Sens. Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue began to catch up to Pastor Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff, respectively. At that point, both races were toss-ups.

The Associated Press noted that neither race had been definitively decided. However, the news wire did make sure to note that the election was secure and devoid of potential issues. “State officials said there were no major problems with voting on Tuesday,” the authors wrote. “Gabriel Sterling, a top official with the Georgia secretary of state’s office, said voting was smooth across the state with minimal wait times, though lines of around an hour built up in Republican-leaning Houston, Cherokee, Paulding and Forsyth counties.”

CNBC acknowledged that “both Senate runoff elections in Georgia were too close to call Tuesday night as Republicans and Democrats vie for control of the chamber.”

However, some left-leaning media activists engaged in a bit of wishful thinking as they called the races for the Democrat challengers. NBC contributor Dave Wasserman called the race for Warnock at about 10 p.m. EST. “I’ve seen enough,” he tweeted. “Raphael Warnock (D) defeats Sen. Kelly Loeffler in GA’s special Senate runoff.”

Democrat media activist and author Wajahat Ali also called the races early. “Black voters are going to give Warnock and Ossoff the win. They too are ‘rural’ voters and ‘real Americans’ from ‘the heartland.’ Democrats would be wise to acknowledge and remember and elevate them moving forward,” he tweeted.

What Happens Next?

With an estimated 99% of the state’s votes already counted, both races are still too close to call. As of 6:30 a.m. EST, Warnock leads Loeffler 50.6% to 49.4% and 53,000 votes. Ossoff leads Perdue 50.19% to 49.89% and 16,000 votes.

Along with some others, Chatham County stopped counting on Tuesday night and will begin the process on Wednesday morning. As you might imagine, the close margins, especially in the Perdue/Ossoff race, are already raising concerns on the right about election fraud.

It is not yet clear who the winners are in the runoff elections. But the issue isn’t whether or not the nation will see the results; but whether the outcome will be trustworthy.

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Read more from Jeff Charles.