THOMASVILLE, Ga. (WTXL) — Candidates looking to become the next Georgia Senator made stops in South Georgia Friday.
Republican incumbent Sen. David Perdue made a stop in Cairo at the Grady County GOP office.
Democrat challenger Jon Ossoff pulled his campaign bus through Bainbridge, Thomasville and Valdosta.
Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black and State Senator Dean Burke joined Sen. Perdue in urging Georgians to vote.
"This tour 'Win Georgia, Save America' is really to get out the vote. That's what we're focusing on right now. I'm taking the message to the people who got us elected in '14 and got us a win in November. We fell just short of the 50% plus one rule. We're out here making sure we don't slip up and we get every vote that counts," said Sen. Perdue.
Perdue supporter Charles Graham said this runoff has energized him.
"It puts Georgia on the map. Everybody knows where Georgia is now. Even people up in Maine," said Graham.
Graham is a life-long Georgia Republican and said this election is one of the most important ones he's ever voted in.
"It's going to be important because who wins dictates how our nation's run. And it's going to be different because there is a different philosophy," said Graham.
The results of the election will decide which party gets control of the U.S. Senate. Republicans only need to win one seat, while Democrats need to win both seats to take control of the chamber.
But across county lines in Thomasville, Jon Ossoff energized his base, in hopes of unseating Perdue. Ossoff met with his supporters outside of The Plaza Restaurant and Oyster Bar.
"We're urging people to vote today with early voting open so that we can achieve these things for the people rather than just having the same in DC," said Ossoff.
Ossoff said he plans to bring more hospitals to rural Georgia counties without one. He also addressed the need for civil rights reform and healthcare.
Amanda Yates brought her teenage daughter to the rally and said that this gives her hope.
"The fact that there's a run-off. The fact that Georgia is typically a ruby-red state. There's never really a fight. We're giving them a run for their money this time, " said Yates.
Ossoff joined Georgia U.S. Senate Seat 2 candidate Raphael Warnock in Valdosta as well.
Sen. Perdue will be campaigning with Donald Trump Jr. Saturday in Catoosa County.
