In Georgia, VP Pence gives a stump speech supporting the two Senate incumbents, David Perdue and Loeffler, in which he tried to project a united front.
The VP landed around 3:15 p.m. to speak to a crowd of a few hundred, some without masks, at an airport outside of Savannah.
Shortly after the plane landed, U.S. Rep. Doug Collins told the audience that Sen. Kelly Loeffler was not along for this leg of the trip because a member of her campaign staff died. No further details were immediately available. He asked the crowd to bow their heads in prayer before delivering a stump speech urging Republicans to defend the Senate majority.
He was accompanied by Sen. David Perdue and GOP chairwoman Ronna McDaniel. He was supposed to be greeted at the tarmac by Gov. Brian Kemp, but the governor’s spokesman Cody Hall said a “family emergency” precluded his involvement. It’s not yet clear if the delay is linked to the death of Loeffler’s aide.
Before he landed, a number of Georgia Republican officials spoke, including U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter, a Republican who represents this coastal district. He pleaded with Republicans to disregard talk about “rigged” votes and turn out in the Jan. 5 runoffs.
“We have to get out. Yes, I’m concerned about what happened on Nov. 3. Just like you are. The president is showing the responsibility he should … but we cannot just sit back and not vote.”
Public Service Commissioner Bubba McDonald, also on the Jan. 5 ballot, echoed him.
“If you have an issue, if it’s President Trump or Kelly Loeffler or whoever … get over it.”
I came to GA to say: Stay in the fight. Stay in the fight for the integrity in this election. Stay in the fight to Defend the Majority. And stay in the fight until the polls close on January 5th & we send @Perduesenate & @KLoeffler back to a Republican Majority in the Senate! pic.twitter.com/rRVhlxOMfb
— Mike Pence (@Mike_Pence) December 4, 2020
The VP departed Savannah around 4:30 p.m.after a stump speech supporting the two Senate incumbents, in which he tried to project a united front.
You all know the stakes here in Georgia. Chuck Schumer said, “Now we take Georgia…and then we change America.” Well I’ve got a message for Chuck Schumer and the Washington Democrats: We’re going to Keep Georgia, Save our Senate, and SAVE AMERICA! pic.twitter.com/K3EXE6gRzm
— Mike Pence (@Mike_Pence) December 4, 2020
During his speech, more public details emerged about the death of Loeffler’s staffer that was announced by Rep. Doug Collins shortly upon their arrival.
Harrison Deal was a campaign aide the senator described in a statement as “a smart, bright, loving, loyal and outstanding young man.”
He was also very close to the family of Gov. Brian Kemp. In a statement, the governor described Deal as “the Kemp son and brother we never had.”
The VP called Deal a “truly wonderful young man.”
It is with an extremely heavy heart that we mourn the loss of Harrison Deal. My heart aches for his family, and Jeff and I will continue to surround them in love and prayer in the days ahead. Harrison was a beloved member of our campaign team.
— Kelly Loeffler (@KLoeffler) December 4, 2020
(We are told by Kemp and Loeffler staffers that he’s not related to former Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal.)