by Elyse Apel
While many of Georgia’s 180 state House of Representative seats are not competitive, District 53 is where Democrat Susie Greenberg hopes to flip the “most flippable” seat back blue.
Incumbent Republican Rep. Deborah Silcox was first elected in 2022 by a margin of less than 1,500 votes, after many years of Democrat representatives. She previously was a representative in District 52, before losing that seat in 2020.
Dr. Charles S. Bullock III, a professor of political science at the University of Georgia, says he believes the race for House District 53 is the “most interesting” on the state level.
District 53 is located in a suburb of Atlanta and was a Democratic stronghold until it was flipped by Silcox.
Silcox is facing off against Greenberg, whose fundraising has outpaced Silcox’s nearly 4 to 1.
Total contributions to Greenberg’s campaign were $432,000 as of July 8. This is according to campaign finance documents provided by the Georgia Campaign Finance Commission.
So far, Greenberg had only spent $83,000, leaving her with a cash balance of $348,000.
In contrast, Silcox brought in $103,000 in total contributions and spent $52,000. She had some money remaining from her last campaign, leaving her with $143,000 on hand as of July 1.
Greenberg has made abortion, gun control and the economy her top issues.
“My experiences advocating for common-sense gun laws, protecting and, now, restoring women’s reproductive rights, and supporting vulnerable populations, including foster children and first-generation college students, fueled my desire to run for the Georgia State House,” Greenberg told The Center Square. “In the state Legislature, I will fight for strong public schools, safer communities, improved access to healthcare, restoration of reproductive freedoms and economic opportunity for everyone.”
Silcox believes that crime, education, and decreasing taxes are more important for Georgia’s voters.
She serves on the Judiciary and Public Health Committees in the state’s House of Representatives.
Greenberg told The Center Square that she is confident in her chances to flip what has been deemed by many Georgia’s “most flippable district.”
“Voters are engaged, enthusiastic and ready to help us win in November,” she said. “As we talk with them, it is clear they are ready for change and want a representative who will stand up for them in the General Assembly.”
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After completing an internship in 2023, Elyse is returning to The Center Square’s apprenticeship program, serving as the elections reporter across North Carolina and Georgia. A graduate of Hillsdale College, Elyse’s writing has been published around the country in a wide variety of publications from the “Washington Examiner” to “The American Spectator” and “The Daily Wire.”
Photo “Susie Greenberg” by Susie Greenberg for State House. Photo “Deborah Silcox” by Deborah Silcox. Background Photo “Georgia State Capitol Building” by DXR. CC BY-SA 4.0.
