Georgia’s shifting politics force GOP to look beyond Atlanta


              Toccoa Falls in Toccoa, Ga., is shown on Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022. Republicans in Georgia increasingly rely on voters in north Georgia areas including Toccoa as their margins shrink in suburban Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jeff Amy)
            
              The Stephens County Courthouse and a monument to Confederate soldiers in Toccoa, Ga., is shown on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022. Republicans in Georgia increasingly rely on voters in north Georgia areas including Toccoa as their margins shrink in suburban Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jeff Amy)
            
              Jay Doss discusses why he prefers conservative politicians on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022 in Toccoa, Ga. Republicans in Georgia increasingly rely on voters in north Georgia areas including Toccoa as their margins shrink in suburban Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jeff Amy)
            
              Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, center, laughs with his wife Marty Kemp as Stephens County Commissioner Dennis Bell, right, introduces Kemp for a speech on Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022 in Toccoa, Ga. Republicans in Georgia increasingly rely on voters in north Georgia as their margins shrink in suburban Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jeff Amy)
            
              Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp speaks to a supporter before a speech on Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022, in Toccoa, Ga. Republicans in Georgia increasingly rely on voters in north Georgia areas including Toccoa as their margins shrink in suburban Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jeff Amy)
            
              Stephens County Democratic Committee Chair Mike Maley talks about efforts to rebuild Democratic Party strength in his area on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022 in front of the Stephens County Courthouse in Toccoa, Ga. Republicans in Georgia increasingly rely on voters in north Georgia as their margins shrink in suburban Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jeff Amy)
            
              FILE - Georgia Democratic candidate for governor Stacey Abrams speaks on July 28, 2022, during a rally in the north Georgia mountain town of Clayton. Although Republicans increasingly rely on voters in north Georgia areas including Clayon as their margins shrink in suburban Atlanta, Abrams aims to boost Democratic turnout in those areas, hoping additional votes will aid her and other Democrats in statewide elections, even if Democrats remain in the deep minority in north Georgia (AP Photo/Jeff Amy)
            
              A sign for downtown Toccoa, Ga., is displayed on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022. Republicans in Georgia increasingly rely on voters in north Georgia areas including Toccoa as their margins shrink in suburban Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jeff Amy)
            
              Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp speaks to supporters on Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022 in Toccoa, Ga. Republicans in Georgia increasingly rely on voters in north Georgia as their margins shrink in suburban Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jeff Amy)