Democrats believe they could turn Georgia blue in 2014 or 2016

ATLANTA – Democrats in Georgia believe they can turn The Peach State into a blue state by as soon as 2014 or 2016.

But, it will take strong candidates to run for Senate in 2014 and governor in 2016.

That was the sentiment shared during an Atlanta Press Club Panel, “Loyal Opposition: What is the Future for Georgia Democrats?” The event featured a pair of state lawmakers, a political science professor, the head of an advocacy group and the head of the state Democratic party.

“It’s not a question of if, it’s a question of when. When could be 2014 in the Senate race; when is almost certainly 2016 when the Hillary express or whoever else is running for office runs through this state,” said Mike Berlon, chairman of the Democratic Party of Georgia.

Democrats pointed to the fall of 2010 as the darkest period in recent history when a series of lawmakers changed from Democrats to Republicans. Republicans currently hold 38 of the 58 state Senate seats and 118 of the 180 state House seats.

Democrats say the key to their recent success is a focus on policy over politics.