Georgia Senate candidates Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff are getting a boost from one of the nation’s leading seniors’ advocacy groups. The National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare has launched a voter outreach campaign in Georgia to encourage turnout and promote both candidates as champions for seniors. The campaign includes radio ads in the Atlanta market, postcard mailings to thousands of National Committee members and supporters across Georgia, and social media outreach to the state’s voters.
“We need the leadership, vision and determination of Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff to fight for seniors in the U.S. Senate. They will work to protect Social Security and Medicare from harmful proposals to cut the benefits Georgians have earned. They will be voices to strengthen the critical lifelines of Social Security and Medicare during the COVID pandemic, when older Georgians are counting on their earned benefits more than ever,” said Max Richtman, president and CEO, National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare. Georgia has 1.3 million Social Security beneficiaries and 1.8 million Medicare enrollees. The average Social Security benefit in Georgia is $1,500 per month. Those benefits provide $45.3 billion in annual economic stimulus to communities across the state.
The National Committee has made a five-figure advertising buy on three Atlanta radio stations beginning December 15th through the runoff election on January 5th. “Only two candidates are ready to put Georgia seniors’ health and economic well-being first, Jon Ossoff and Rev. Raphael Warnock,” the radio ad tells voters. Postcards are being mailed to more than 7,000 National Committee members in Georgia, bearing the message, “Your best future starts with your vote for John Ossoff and Raphael Warnock.”
Warnock and Ossoff earned the National Committee’s endorsement by making clear that they will be champions for seniors in the U.S. Senate. Rev. Warnock has said that he will stand up to those who want to cut Social Security and Medicare after giving “trillion-dollar tax breaks to their corporate friends.” Jon Ossoff pledged to “strengthen and protect these earned benefits” that retirees have “paid into for their entire lives.” Both candidates will fight for lower prescription drug costs by empowering Medicare to negotiate prices directly with Big Pharma.
On the other side, incumbent GOP Senator David Perdue pays lip service to protecting Social Security while suggesting that benefits for future retirees may have to be cut. He also has said that Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid should no longer be protected as mandatory spending programs. For her part, Senator Kelly Loeffler endorsed President Trump’s reckless payroll tax deferral of last August, which reduced the flow of revenue into Social Security and will force cash-strapped workers to repay those funds in early 2021.
“Wins by Warnock and Ossoff would not only be a victory for Georgians. It would give President-elect Biden and his party the power in the U.S. Senate to actually get things done for seniors after four years of obstruction. With a new majority, we can protect and expand Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act – and tame the soaring prescription drug prices that force too many seniors to cut pills in half or to choose between food and medicine. The financial and health security of older Americans literally rests on the outcome of this election. Georgia voters have the power.” – Max Richtman
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View the postcard mailing to National Committee members in Georgia.
Listen to the National Committee’s radio spot to air in the metro Atlanta market.
The National Committee, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization acts in the interests of its membership through advocacy, education, services, grassroots efforts and the leadership of the Board of Directors and professional staff. The work of the National Committee is directed toward developing better-informed citizens and voters.
Media Inquiries to:
Pamela Causey 202-216-8378
Walter Gottlieb 202-276-9089