By Paul Bolster
While Former President Trump swept victory in Georgia and across the country, the neighborhoods in the Porch Press area remained solidly behind Kamala Harris. There was even a small increase in the number of Democratic votes in each of the precincts over the vote totals in the 2020 election of Biden, Ossoff, and Warnock. These precincts gave the Democratic ticket a 17,000 vote lead, but it was not enough to overcome Republican votes in other parts of the state.
For many the 2024 election will be remembered as one of great disappointment. However, participating in the election brought many people out of their daily routines and active in politics in a way that, if sustained, can make a significant difference. Over the summer, a group of Southeast Atlanta residents formed SE Atlanta Neighbors Take Action to help neighbors build community while getting involved in politics. Many neighborhood residents worked for Kamala Harris’s election, which included knocking on doors, doing outreach at local events like Benteen Fall Fest and Chomp and Stomp, putting up yard signs, giving money, making phone calls, and talking politics with friends, neighbors, and even relatives. In just a few months, nearly 150 members joined SE Atlanta Neighbors on Facebook while over 40 of those members did multiple door-knocking shifts through the Harris campaign office at 274 Decatur Street.
“National and statewide elections bring a tremendous amount of interest to electoral politics for bursts of time. We started SE Atlanta Neighbors Take Action to make sure we can stay in touch between elections and continue to work together to improve our city, state, and country. We also know political power and influence happen when people are organized and able to mobilize. The Harris campaign became familiar with our group and appreciated our reliability in turning out volunteers. We now have the potential to have City Council candidates in the runoff hear from us,” Chris Rhodenbaugh, one of the group’s founders, said.
Post 3 City Council candidates will zoom with the group on November 18 at 6:00pm. Residents from SE Atlanta are invited to be part of the discussion and encouraged to join this new political group. Look for information on the forum on other neighborhood social media.
The group plans to bring issues and candidates to the neighborhood’s attention. It will arrange meetings with candidates and ask our elected officials to report back on the work they are doing on our behalf. “We have a significant election in 2026, including for our US Senator. It is critical that our SE Neighbors have an opportunity want to participate in those elections and make their concerns heard by candidates,” said Nathan Clubb, a co-founder.
Neighbors are invited to join the Facebook group and take part in developing an organization which will help elected officials respond to the future needs of the neighborhood. Goals and governance have not yet been established but SE Atlanta Neighbors’ goal is greater grassroots participation in our local, state. and national politics.