# U.S. Senate races 2020 **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [April 30, 2020, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-senate-races-2020/852876 "2020-04-30T05:17:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 34
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2020, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-senate-races-2020/852876/663 "2020-11-05T18:05:54Z")
If both Georgia seats go to a runoff (as now seems likely) AND Biden wins AND Tillis holds on in NC, then control of the Senate will hinge on the outcome of the January runoff elections in Georgia. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2020, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-senate-races-2020/852876/664 "2020-11-05T20:32:16Z")
And since you can expect people who voted for Republicans in this election to vote for Republicans in the runoffs, people who voted for Democrats in this election to vote for Democrats in the runoffs and people who voted for Libertarians in this election to mostly vote for Republicans in the runoff it’s very likely both of the Georgia seats will be won by Republicans. ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2020, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-senate-races-2020/852876/665 "2020-11-05T20:49:35Z")
Sure. And historically, runoff elections in Georgia have been low-turnout affairs that benefit the Republican. But better to fight another day than flat out lose today. And a lot can happen between now and January 5. Primarily, what is Trump going to do if he loses the election? Will he burn the motherfucker down on his way out? I think that’s the wildcard here. ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2020, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-senate-races-2020/852876/666 "2020-11-05T22:16:01Z")
Perdue just dropped below 50%, so there will be runoffs for both Georgia Senate seats. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2020, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-senate-races-2020/852876/667 "2020-11-05T23:23:15Z")
I read that you can register to vote in GA after living there for one day. And I think registration for the special election goes into Dec. Anyone wanna move to GA for a few weeks? ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2020, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-senate-races-2020/852876/668 "2020-11-06T01:36:06Z")
I actually went to the voter registration page for the State of Georgia. One of the first things that you are asked for is your Georgia driver’s license number, or your State ID number, if you don’t have a driver’s license. So that might preclude a mass influx into Georgia prior to the special runoff elections. ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2020, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-senate-races-2020/852876/669 "2020-11-06T17:30:07Z")
I saw an interesting point that two of the potential loser from these Senate elections are Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren. Given how close the Senate will be whatever the final configuration is, and that both of them are from states where Republican governors would name their replacements, a President Biden couldn’t risk appointing them to his Cabinet even if he wanted to. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2020, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-senate-races-2020/852876/670 "2020-11-06T19:33:21Z")
Warren would probably like to run Treasury. Sanders probably will be happy where he is now. ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2020, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-senate-races-2020/852876/671 "2020-11-06T22:46:19Z")
Interesting. I knew the governor of Massachusetts was a Republican, but had no idea that the governor of Vermont was, too (and was just re-elected to a third 2-year term). I’m actually astonished to learn this. (He’s apparently pro-choice and is described as fiscally conservative but socially liberal, so maybe that explains it.) ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2020, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-senate-races-2020/852876/672 "2020-11-07T16:30:23Z")
The Georgia Run-offs are very important. I’m hoping on December 1st I know what my financial situation is so I can give some money to the 2 Dems’ campaigns. It looks like the Runn-off isn’t until January 5th. Republican David Perdue vs. **Democrat Jon Ossoff** **Democrat Raphael Warnock** and Republican Kelly Loeffler > **[Georgia becomes center of battle for Senate as races head to runoff elections](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/nov/06/georgia-senate-races-runoff-david-perdue-jon-ossoff)** > > If Democrats were to win the seats, it would split the chamber 50-50, with the vice-president serving as a tie-breaker ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2020, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-senate-races-2020/852876/673 "2020-11-07T17:16:17Z")
Georgia could really benefit from ranked choice voting. Turnout in these runoffs usually drops off sharply. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2020, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-senate-races-2020/852876/674 "2020-11-07T17:30:52Z")
Not this time. These will probably turn out to be the two most expensive Senate campaigns in history. ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2020, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-senate-races-2020/852876/675 "2020-11-07T17:37:13Z")
I cannot imagine the storm that is about to descend on Georgia. Good luck to all my Peach State friends! ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2020, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-senate-races-2020/852876/676 "2020-11-07T17:44:32Z")
I really expect the GA run-offs to be amped up to 11, in terms of money, media, voter suppression shenanigans, legit boots-on-the-ground game, etc. My heart goes out to the poor GA voters over these next few months. I also expect the Republicans to prevail in both races. Sigh. ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2020, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-senate-races-2020/852876/677 "2020-11-07T19:02:41Z")
Never underestimate the powers of Stacey Abrams. I hope that her mystique mobilizes even more of her base. Perhaps wishful thinking, but I also hope that the Trump Republicans have a relatively lower turnout due to sour grapes, etc. ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2020, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-senate-races-2020/852876/678 "2020-11-07T19:10:20Z")
I think the outcome in the Georgia special elections will depend entirely on how Trump handles his loss. If he goes out relatively quietly (for certain values of “relatively”) then the Republicans have the advantage. But if he sets the place on fire as he goes – mass firings, pardons all around, pulls us out of NATO, blatantly looting as much as he can from the public till – the Purdue and Loeffler will be in the position to either have to defend his actions or turn on him and risk depressing base turnout. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2020, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-senate-races-2020/852876/679 "2020-11-07T21:41:07Z")
This is the next big battle. Celebrate today and tomorrow and then start to gather the troops on Monday, and get things started. ---
**Author:** ![Temporary\_Name](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8c91f0/32.png) [@Temporary\_Name](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Temporary_Name)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2020, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-senate-races-2020/852876/680 "2020-11-07T22:07:16Z")
> [@DesertDog](#): > > The Republican party has lost its way so far, for the first time in my life I have voted straight Democrat all the way down my ballot You and I have this in common (I wonder what my ex-wife would say if she only knew I voted straight D’s). I was sad I could only vote against her once (same for Trump actually). Your letter seems the perfect final word on her Senatorial career. I was watching her debate Mark Kelly on channel eight when her campaign (or whoever they hired) called and conducted I later learned is called a push poll. While I watched her try to charm her way out of her record and policies, I was being asked questions like: “Which is worse- Mark Kelley working for China, or Mark Kelly wanting to take your guns away?” I skipped over how tasteless that question was considering his wife’s experience and told the pollster to call me back when McSally was FOR anything at all instead of against Kelly and simply being Trump’s puppet. I hung up just in time to see with full focus her dodge the most important question of her career. And then have the panelist ask again: “Senator, the question was, are you proud of supporting President Trump?” ---
**Author:** ![Lance\_Turbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lance_turbo/32/6156_2.png) [@Lance\_Turbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_Turbo)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2020, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-senate-races-2020/852876/681 "2020-11-07T22:11:38Z")
It wasn’t that long ago that we had a senate race go to runoff in Georgia. In 2008 the top two finishers on election day were Saxby Chambliss (R 49.8%) and Jim Martin (D 46.8%). R +3.0. The runoff went Saxby Chambliss (R 57.4%) and Jim Martin (D 42.6%). R +14.8. I hope that doesn’t happen again, but I’m afraid it might. A lot of 2020 voters in heavily Dem areas waited eight hours in line to vote Trump out. I don’t think they’ll do that again for Jon Ossoff. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2020, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-senate-races-2020/852876/682 "2020-11-07T22:13:40Z")
> [@Lance\_Turbo](#): > > I hope that doesn’t happen again, but I’m afraid it might. A lot of 2020 voters in heavily Dem areas waited eight hours in line to vote Trump out. I don’t think they’ll do that again for Jon Ossoff. They need to be made fully aware that if Dems don’t take the Senate, Biden’s presidency will be for naught. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-senate-races-2020/852876.md?page=33) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-senate-races-2020/852876.md?page=35)