Loeffler speaks on ‘defund police,’ second stimulus check in Columbus campaign stop

U.S. Senator Kelly Loeffler made a stop in Columbus Tuesday as part of her second statewide campaign tour, with a speech centered on core Republican values including pro-life and pro-Second Amendment policies.

Loeffler said she has introduced legislation to “crack down on criminal gangs like MS-13,” introduced an act to bring manufacturing jobs back to American from China, and signed a pledge to create term limits in Congress.

She also spoke about ongoing tensions with an Atlanta basketball team she co-owns and her efforts toward coronavirus recovery.

Loeffler, who was appointed to serve by Gov. Brian Kemp after former Republican Sen. Johnny Isakson vacated the seat, is running in a special election to serve the remaining two years of Isakson’s term.

Joining her on the stop were Attorney General Chris Carr, Georgia Public Service Commissioner Tim Echols and Insurance Commissioner John F. King. Also in attendance were State Representative Vance Smith and State Senator Randy Robertson, along with Mayor Skip Henderson and District 10 Columbus Councilor John House.

Her stance on Black Lives Matter

Loeffler told those gathered at Trevioli at the Rapids that she has “stood strong” with law enforcement, referring to calls from Americans to defund police departments in the wake of the death of George Floyd and other Black Americans at the hands of law enforcement.

“Defunding police” refers to policy that cuts law enforcement budgets and reallocates those funds toward social services and community resources.

“This defund the police movement is radical, it’s dangerous and it’s wrong,” she said. “I’ve introduced legislation that would defund cities and municipalities that defund police.”

Loeffler addressed an ongoing conflict with Atlanta Dream, a WNBA team she co-owns that has committed to supporting the Black Lives Matter movement. She wrote a letter to WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert calling for the separation of politics and sports, stating the Black Lives Matter political movement is “totally misaligned with the values and goals of the WNBA and the Atlanta Dream.”

Loeffler reiterated on Tuesday she has spoken out against the Black Lives Matter political organization, not the statement, and that she continues to stand by that decision.

“The life of every African American matters and there is no place in this country for racism, we have to root it out where it exists. But this political organization’s number one goal, behind getting President Trump out of office, is to defund the police,” she said. “They have a five-year plan to abolish the police; they promoted violence and antisemitism around our country and they promoted the destruction of the nuclear family—that’s moms and dads.”

Attorney General Carr, who has endorsed Loeffler in her campaign, addressed the Black Lives Matter protests that have been seen in Atlanta and other Georgia cities.

Carr said he will defend the rights of peaceful protestors to the “nth degree,” but not turn a blind eye to violence.

“There is a very clear line between protesting and rioting,” he said. “Protestors use words, rioters use violence. The first is protected by the First Amendment. The other is outright lawlessness. And I think it’s vitally important that elected officials, in particular, make that clear distinction.”

Another stimulus check?

In press interviews after her speech, Loeffler blamed Democrats for the lack of a second economic stimulus package to offset the effect of COVID-19.

“Thank goodness President Trump has stepped up with four executive orders to give Americans the relief that they need in the interim,” she said. “I expect we’ll get back to Washington and try to make a difference here but it looks like from here on out Democrats are playing politics.”

Loeffler faces opponents from all political parties on the same ballot in November. Twenty-one people qualified including Republican U.S. Representative Doug Collins and Democratic candidate Rev. Raphael Warnock, who received an endorsement from Stacey Abrams, former candidate for governor.

To win, a candidate must get 50% of the vote. If none reach that threshold, the top two will face a January 2021 runoff.