In ‘Jungle Primary’ Race For Loeffler’s Seat, 2 Very Different Party Dynamics

Disagreements were aired in two debates sponsored by the Atlanta Press Club. 

Brynn Anderson / Associated Press file

In the race for the seat held by Republican U.S. Sen. Kelly Loeffler, 21 candidates from all parties will compete on one special election ballot, a so-called “jungle primary” without party primaries.

Though the ballot is the same, the Democratic and Republican sides of the race look very different. The Republican side quickly turned into a bruising intra-party fight between Loeffler and Republican U.S. Rep. Doug Collins.  

The Democratic side has been quieter, and there’s a worry the three candidates who’ve raised enough money to register at the federal level could dilute the vote and jeopardize a Democratic spot in an all-but-certain January runoff. But some operatives say the Rev. Raphael Warnock, the chosen candidate of many in the Democratic power structure, is about to pull ahead.