ATLANTA — The nation's 45th president will return to the White House as its 47th, as former President Donald Trump was declared the 2024 election winner early Wednesday morning. His closest allies in Georgia, some of the state's leading conservatives, hailed Trump's victory as "dominant, undeniable, historic" and "the greatest comeback in American history."
Republicans aligned with Trump in Georgia reacted in a celebratory mood, while those with whom he had a frostier relationship, such as Gov. Brian Kemp, had yet to comment as the day after the election dawned.
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One of Trump's loudest Republican critics in Georgia, former Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, struck a conciliatory tone: "Congratulations President Trump on your decisive victory. You earned it the hard way. Hopeful this country gets back to working together."
Democrats, meanwhile, were also more muted as they processed Vice President Kamala Harris' defeat in what looked like it could be a landslide. State Sen. Elena Parent, the chair of the Georgia Senate Democratic Caucus, released a statement in the mid-morning saying Trump is "prepared to set our nation back decades."
Here's a look at Georgia's reactions to Trump's victory:
Former Sen. Kelly Loeffler
She posted on X: "A dominant, undeniable, historic victory - and a clear mandate to lead from the American people. Congratulations to @realDonaldTrump - the 47th President of the United States!"
Lt. Gov. Burt Jones
He wrote: "Thank you Georgians for supporting President @realDonaldTrump! This victory shows that citizens of this state care about kitchen table issues they know President Trump can deliver on in the White House. President Trump can fix what candidate Harris broke and I’m grateful for all Georgians who trust him to deliver on that promise. It’s an honor to live in and represent a state where citizens put our nation first and want to make America Great Again."
Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper
He posted on X: "Georgia has spoken! We’re sending Donald J. Trump back to the White House. To every volunteer, voter, and staffer - this is why we do what we do. Thank you Georgia and let’s Make America & American Agriculture Great Again!"
Georgia Sec. of State Brad Raffensperger
He wrote on X: "The voters of Georgia have spoken, and we are prepared to defend the election results against any legal challenge. This election was free, fair, and accessible to every eligible Georgian. As always, we will follow the law and the Constitution to protect the will of The People."
Georgia Secretary of State's Office COO Gabriel Sterling
He wrote: "Remember my post the other day telling people there was a possibility their candidate may lose? I’ve seen liberal pundits saying “Americans have given up on democracy.” That’s wrong…they actually practiced democracy & things didn’t go your way. That’s how it works sometimes."
Former Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan
He wrote: "Congratulations President Trump on your decisive victory. You earned it the hard way. Hopeful this country gets back to working together."
Georgia GOP Chairman Josh McKoon
State Sen. Elena Parent
“Donald Trump is prepared to set our nation back decades. Project 2025 has a plan to pass a national abortion ban, weaken the middle class, cut Social Security and Medicare, eliminate the Department of Education, deport immigrants en masse, and wreak havoc on social liberties granted by our constitution.
“Although this wasn’t the result we worked so hard for, Georgia Senate Democrats are ending this race with gratitude for the voters and hope for the future, knowing that we left it all on the field fighting for the values we believe in. We are so proud of VP Harris and every single one of our senate candidates, who ran historic campaigns that inspired and uplifted millions while expanding the vision for what is possible in Georgia.
"A vision of a state where we expand access to health care, where our freedoms are protected, and where everyone has the opportunity to prosper within our economy.
“To all of the incredible volunteers, supporters, and everyone working on behalf of our senate races, thank you so much for all your hard work and support.”
Rep. Rick Allen
In a statement, he said: "Over the last four years, our nation has faced crisis after crisis under the Biden-Harris administration. From historic inflation and the rising cost of living to an unprecedented border crisis and chaos on the world stage, the American people have made it clear without a shadow of a doubt that they are ready for a new direction.
"Under President Donald Trump and Vice President-Elect JD Vance's leadership, we will tackle each of these self-inflicted crises head on. We will reclaim American energy dominance to lower costs for families, we will rein in runaway government spending, we will secure our border, we will stop the flow of deadly narcotics into our country, and we will restore peach through strength. I look forward to working alongside President Trump to make America great once again and return to the prosperity we experienced just four years ago. It's time to get to work!"
Former Rep. Doug Collins
Dr. Bernice A. King, King Center CEO
This story will update with more reactions as they come in