MOULTRIE, Ga. — Supporters of President Trump in Georgia said they are unmoved by impeachment arguments. This includes Georgia farmers who have faced catastrophic losses due to hurricanes and Chinese tariffs enacted in retaliation to U.S. tariffs.
The Sunbelt Ag Expo in southwest Georgia is a study in contrasts. It represents an industry getting clobbered by President Trump’s trade policies.
"We’re a pawn in a political game right now," said Bill Barrs of McRae.
Cotton growers like him are losing money this fall on a crop that won’t get any sales in China because of the trade war.
"Trying to get over a hurricane (Michael in 2018) and now we’re stuck in a trade war. The ag economy is pretty bleak right now. There are some people suffering, some good people," Barrs said.
Yet, the president’s support appears to be unflagging in an area that strongly supported him in 2016.
"I think his support is going to be steady. I think the same people that supported him last time are going to support him again," said Brent Galloway of Vidalia, president of the Georgia Cattleman's Association.
Some farmers said the pain of the trade war with China should yield long-term benefits for agriculture and other American industries.
"We’re still behind him. We’re sticking with him," added Caleb Overman of Omega, a peanuts and cotton farmer. "I feel if they would just get out of his way and let him do what he needs to do, I think we would see improvement pretty quick."
"He’s doing a great job. And he’s Christian," said Trina Williams of Cordele. "Which I am also. And I support him."
The support for Trump especially includes impeachment. Nobody 11Alive talked with is buying that.
"I really don’t agree with them," said Connor Peters, an 18 year old who works at a blueberry farm and is planning to vote for the first time next year. "I don’t think people should impeach him just because what people say and what he's done and everything. Why don’t y'all do something to Hillary?"
"I think it’s make believe," added Overman of the impeachment-related allegations under investigation in Congress. "He’s draining the swamp, he’s hurting some feelings and doing what needs to be done."
Democrats and Republicans are targeting Georgia as a battleground state in next year’s presidential election. Trump won three quarters of the votes here in Colquitt County is 2016. That Georgia battleground will mostly be closer to metro Atlanta.
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