The more densely populated the city, the more Democratic the voters.
The last few election cycles have shaped that trend, but as a recent FiveThirtyEight analysis shows, there are solid Republican enclaves even in the bluest cities.
And the polarization of those urban areas is even starker when the definition extends beyond built-up downtowns.
The news outlet used a formula to determine a ranking of the nation’s most politically segregated cities. And, interestingly, four of the top 20 were in Georgia.
Augusta, Atlanta and Savannah took the 12, 13 and 14 spots.
But the most politically segregated in Georgia? Columbus, where a slash of Democratic voters cutting through the city center is surrounded on both sides by a wall of Republican supporters.
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The "religious liberty" debate may have to move over for a new divisive political fight. (Or should we say, apologies in advance, mooooo-ve over?)
The Texas House passed a “Save Chick-fil-A” measure on Tuesday that blocks the government from taking adverse action against businesses or individuals based on membership, support or donations to religious groups.
The measure’s critics, including many Democrats in the Texas House, say it opens the door to discrimination against the state’s LGBTQ community.
Why is it named after the Atlanta-based fast-food chain? Our AJC colleague Nancy Clanton has more:
The legislation was filed in response to the San Antonio City Council’s vote to keep Chick-fil-A from opening a location at the city’s airport, citing the company’s “legacy of anti-LGBTQ behavior.”
Chick-fil-A has a history of donating to anti-LGBTQ organizations, and the city’s vote was applauded by the Stonewall Democrats of San Antonio, a local LGBTQ political action committee, KSAT reported.
It goes beyond that. Company president Dan Cathy sparked an uproar back in 2012 when he made controversial comments on "biblical" marriage, and critics tried to mount a boycott. Though the effort failed, the chain is still grappling with reputational damage from the comments.
That surfaces in sporadic attempts to block new restaurants, such as a ban on Chick-fil-A at a New Jersey university and pushback against a new store at a New York airport.
The company is uncomfortable playing a starring role in the legislation and has tried to separate itself from Cathy’s comments. It said in a statement the company has no “political or social agenda” and that it doesn’t discriminate.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, meanwhile, left little mystery about his stance. He tweeted a picture of a Chick-fil-A cup resting on his laptop.
"So what are the odds I'll sign the Chick-fil-A bill?" he wrote. "I'll let you know after dinner."
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U.S. Sen. David Perdue is off to Texas on May 31 to hold a joint fundraiser with his Republican colleague, John Cornyn. The Georgian faces a re-election fight in 2020 against Democrat Teresa Tomlinson and several other potential competitors.
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Perdue also weighed in on escalating tensions with Iran.
After senior defense officials briefed senators on the situation in the Middle East yesterday, the Republican said "it’s clear that the Trump Administration’s response to confirmed threats made by Iran has been measured and appropriate." He added:
“The White House’s actions were necessary to ensure Iran does not misunderstand our intentions. I hope this will remind Iran that it is in their best interest to rethink their posture as the largest supporter of terrorism around the world.”
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