Barack Obama highlights what is at stake at the Georgia Senate runoffs

The Democratic Party is pulling out all the stops even as residents in Georgia are casting their votes today. Former President Barack Obama has now reminded Americans in the state what is on the line in the Senate runoffs and why candidates Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff must win the elections.

Obama highlighted the importance of the Georgia Senate runoffs this week on social media. Warnock and Ossoff are challenging the state’s senate seats currently held by Republicans David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler. The runoffs in the state are especially important as it determines which political party has control of the Senate chamber. President-elect Joe Biden will need a Democratic-controlled Senate to further his agenda.

“Tomorrow is Election day in Georgia and the stakes could not be higher. We’re seeing how far some will go to retain power and threaten the fundamental principles of our democracy. But our democracy isn’t about any individual, even a president -- it’s about you,” tweeted Obama. The former president posted a lengthier version of his Twitter post on his Instagram. “If you’re a Georgia voter, you can respond tomorrow with the most powerful tool we have as Americans -- your vote.”

Should Ossoff and Warnock win the runoff elections, the Senate would be evenly split. Vice president-elect Kamala Harris will cast the tie-breaking vote in favor of her party. Even former first lady Michelle Obama has actively encouraged voter participation in the runoff elections to ensure voter turnout. The former president’s comments also come as Donald Trump refuses to admit defeat even as a damning recording of his phone call to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, asking to find votes to overturn the elections in his favor.

Obama remains to be among the most influential political figures and while he has served two terms as president, many are calling for the former president to serve in Biden’s cabinet as well. The former president is increasingly being touted to be a good candidate for DOJ attorney general. Biden has yet to name his pick for attorney general, but many are now urging him to choose his former boss to head the Justice Department.