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The political landscape in Georgia and the nation suddenly looks different. The Rev. Raphael Warnock won his run-off race for the U.S. Senate, beating Republican incumbent Kelly Loeffler and becoming the first Black senator from Georgia. And, on Wednesday afternoon, Democratic challenger Jon Ossoff widened his lead over Republican incumbent David Perdue

Warnock, Ossoff win in Georgia

What does Warnock’s historic win mean for generations of Black southern voters? How did Georgia turn from solidly conservative to a battleground state? 

“People might think it was Atlanta voters who did this, but the data coming out  shows, yes, there were urban voters who voted for Democrats, but also rural and suburban voters,” says Andrea Benjamin, an associate professor of African and African American studies at The University of Oklahoma. “It’s a stereotype that when states go blue it’s only because of the urban areas.” 

MPR News host Kerri Miller spoke with Benjamin early Wednesday about the coalitions that led to Warnock’s win and what it means to have the Senate split equally between Democrats and Republicans. 

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Two election victories in Georgia delivered the state’s first Black U.S. senator and gave  Democrats the majority in the Senate. Host Kerri Miller talked to a political scientist about what led to the historic win and shift in power.  

MPR News with Kerri Miller - Raphael Warnock becomes the first Black Senator from Georgia. Political scientist Andrea Benjamin talks about this generational breakthrough for Southern Black Democrats.

What does Raphael Warnock’s win mean for Georgia and the Democrats?

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