The afternoon before former President Donald Trump was set to give his Republican National Convention speech, Savannah-area Democrats, including Mayor Van Johnson, gathered in Johnson Square to stump for President Joe Biden's campaign.
Johnson, along with State Representative Anne Allen Westbrook (GA-163) and Chatham County District 6 Commissioner Aaron Whitely, criticized the Heritage Foundation-led Project 2025 and Trump's pick for running mate, Ohio Senator JD Vance, while touting the Biden Administration's investment in the Savannah area.
Thursday's press conference was organized by the Biden campaign, which had other similar events throughout the country, including one in Atlanta yesterday. The event focused heavily on Project 2025, which is a "presidential transition project" aimed at being the blueprint for a new Republican administration.
The plan includes calls to prosecute anyone providing abortion pills; abolish the Pentagon's diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives;and conduct a "top to bottom overhaul" of the U.S. Department of Justice, according to reporting by the Associated Press. Trump has recently moved to distance himself from the project, despite more than 100 members of the former president's administration tied to its authorship, according to reporting by NewsNation and CNN.
Here is what local officials said at the recent press conference about this year's race for president.
Mayor Van Johnson
Johnson began his remarks by condemning political violence, saying he was happy Trump was not seriously injured while also giving condolences to the loved ones of Corey Comperatore, who was killed by gunshots during the recent assassination attempt on Trump.
Johnson also dubbed Project 2025 as a "radical agenda" that hurts the middle class and rolls back rights and freedoms.
"It makes America bad again," Johnson said.
Johnson also highlighted investments in Savannah by the Biden administration, which include a $30 million Federal Emergency Management Administration grant for the Springfield Canal. There have also been about nine visits from cabinet members, Johnson said.
"I'll also tell you that the City of Savannah in our 291-year history has never received more federal investment than we have the past for years," Johnson said.
Johnson's first term as mayor began in 2020 during the twilight of Trump's presidential administration. When asked why he believed federal investment would not continue under a second Trump administration, Johnson said that investment did not come before.
"(Trump) was president before, so the best indicator of future performance is past performance," Johnson said.
Rep. Anne Allen Westbrook
Westbrook's remarks focused heavily on reproductive rights and gun safety, two issues she has long advocated for.
Two Trump-appointed justices contributed the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, which guaranteed a fundamental right to an abortion.
"Georgians remember that is Donald Trump who is responsible for overturning Roe v. Wade and who paved the way for the draconian six-week ban Georgia passed to actually go into effect," Westbrook said.
When it comes to gun safety, Westbrook pointed to bipartisan gun safety legislation passed during the past four years. The law toughened background checks on young gun buyers and prevented more domestic violence offenders from owning more guns, according to reporting by the Associated Press.
It was the first major gun legislation passed since an assault weapons ban in 1993, the AP said. Westbrook said those policy impacts show that citizens' votes matter.
"For a lot of us we look at this administration and see accomplishments," Westbrook said.
Chatham County Commissioner Aaron Whitely
Whitely focused on claims that a second Trump administration would be negative for working families.
Those policies referenced by Whitely included tax breaks for the richest Americans and making it easier for companies to send jobs overseas.
"When Donald Trump was president, he sold out working families multiple times," Whitely said.
Conversely, the commissioner noted examples of Biden Administration policies he said helped working-class residents. One example was the CHIPS and Science Act, which invested $53 billion in U.S. semiconductor manufacturing, according to a White House press release.
Whitely also touted Biden's support of unions, which are traditionally associated with working-class success.
"(Biden) is the most pro-worker and pro-union president we've ever had," Whitely said.
Evan Lasseter is the city and county reporter for the Savannah Morning News. You can reach him at ELasseter@gannett.com.
Local Savannah, GA
Most Popular
Comments / 0