The American Bankers Association is jumping into the Senate runoff election in Georgia in a big way, dropping an ad thanking Sen. David Perdue for his role in “helping Georgia families and small businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Perdue faces Democrat Jon Ossoff in one of two Georgia runoffs scheduled for Jan. 5 that will determine control of the U.S. Senate. Sen. Kelly Loeffler and Democrat Raphael Warnock face each other in the other runoff.
Reuters reported that ABA is spending $1 million on the Perdue’s behalf. ABA called it “part of a voter education campaign.”
“Senator Perdue’s strong support for the Paycheck Protection Program allowed small businesses in Georgia and around the country to survive the economic dislocation caused by COVID-19,” ABA President and CEO Rob Nichols said. “We support his efforts in Congress to bolster the economy and keep people working, and we appreciate his keen understanding of the important role that banks continue to play in the recovery.”
Ossoff has repeatedly criticized Perdue’s handling of the pandemic, saying he dismissed its seriousness and has done too little to help Georgians impacted by the virus.
Joe Brannen, president and CEO of the Georgia Bankers Association, added, “We are proud to join ABA in highlighting David Perdue’s efforts to deliver the largest relief package in American history, helping to save so many of Georgia’s small businesses and farmers. Senator Perdue is a leader, and his support for the CARES Act helped protect Georgia families and preserve 1.5 million Georgia jobs.”