A misleading robocall in Georgia uses polarizing language about abortion to target Democrats in two key races.
The call was an effort to influence elections as tensions are rising in the polarized political atmosphere in Georgia and across the country. Democratic Rep. Karen Handel is facing off against Republican David Perdue in a Senate race that could flip control of the chamber. But the call was also misleading in promoting the Trump White House’s agenda, according to a review of the call transcript.
The automated message, which was recorded in April, was meant to influence the Nov. 5 general election and targeted voters living in North Georgia. The two candidates in that race, Handel and Perdue, share moderate positions on abortion. In his message, the voice on the other end of the line — who identified himself as an unnamed “senator” — offered to help Handel in her race with a “very important message” for the Democrat.
“I think there’s a lot of misinformation out there right now. I agree. I think our country is in chaos, and I’d like for you all to stop the misinformation on who we are, what we are,” the message said. “And for us to sit back and just support the president when he’s in office. We really have to start at home. And that’s why I’m calling. I’ve heard your thoughts. And we’re going to go about it in very different ways, but I think it may get us a little closer together politically after the next election.”
The call is part of a series of attempts by the Trump administration to use politics to target lawmakers with different positions or ideologies. The effort began in July with a robocall that targeted Republican Rep. Justin Amash and Democratic Rep. Conor Lamb, both running for Congress in a district where they represent conservative, gun-loving voters. President Trump’s administration then used a robocall for Lamb’s Democratic opponent, Jon Ossoff, and another for Republican Karen Handel.
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