Democratic hopes on health care rest with Georgia Senate races

Democrats are hinging their hopes of fulfilling Joe BidenJoe BidenMary Trump celebrates Biden-Harris victory: ‘To America. Thanks, guys’ Biden gives shoutout to Black Americans in victory speech: ‘You always have my back, and I’ll have yours’ Biden vows to heal divided nation MORE‘s health care agenda on runoff elections in Georgia, where voters are expected to decide next month if they want to send two Democrats to the Senate and give the party unified control of the government. 

It’s an uphill climb, as Democrats in both races will be seen as slight underdogs in the race, though the party’s hopes have been lifted by what they believe will be a win in the state for Biden’s presidential campaign.

The stakes are high, and Democrats plan to partly frame the races as a referendum on health care. Without a Democratic majority in the Senate, Biden’s health care agenda would be severely limited to administrative action and bipartisan legislation which has become increasingly hard to pass in a gridlocked Washington. 

Democrats think if they can make health care the focus of the election in Georgia — one of the few states that hasn’t expanded Medicaid to low-income adults under ObamaCare — they have a decent shot at victory. Black people in Georgia has also been disproportionately dying of COVID-19, partly due to a lack of access to health care. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court will hear arguments in a case that will determine the future of the law Tuesday. 

“Health care has always been a big issue, but now that you’ve got ObamaCare going to the Supreme Court, and it’s such an important problem for so many people, especially given COVID. I think it’s absolutely resonating in Georgia,” said Stefan Turkheimer, a Democratic strategist in the state.

While Democrats have a bad history with runoffs in Georgia, Turkheimer, who worked for a Senate campaign that lost a runoff in 2008, said this time is different, because the national party is pouring more money and attention to the race, and voters feel more motivated than ever. 

“There is a not-so-great history of Georgia runoffs… It created a narrative that Democrats in Georgia don’t show up for runoffs. That’s been the conventional wisdom. I think that’s going to change now.”  

Democrats are currently projected to hold 48 seats in January, while Republicans are expected to have 50 if Sen. Thom TillisThomas (Thom) Roland TillisBiden and Trump campaigns, outside groups spent B on advertising McConnell, Graham warn GOP Senate majority on the line in Georgia Fight for Senate majority boils down to Georgia MORE (R) wins in North Carolina, where he’s had a small but steady lead. 

Sen. Dan SullivanDaniel Scott SullivanMcConnell, Graham warn GOP Senate majority on the line in Georgia Fight for Senate majority boils down to Georgia The Hill’s Morning Report – Biden inches closer to victory MORE (R) also appears to be cruising to reelection in Alaska, but the state hasn’t yet been called.  

Winning both Georgia races would make the Senate split 50-50, with Democrats controlling the majority because a Vice President Kamala HarrisKamala HarrisMary Trump celebrates Biden-Harris victory:…