Ahead of today’s runoff election, DNC Chair Ken Martin traveled to Georgia over the weekend to rally voters and build excitement behind Democratic state Senate candidate Debra Shigley. 

In Alpharetta, a suburb north of Atlanta, Chair Martin knocked doors with Debra Shigley, speaking directly to Georgians about the issues that matter the most to them.

Chair Martin’s trip underscores the DNC’s commitment to organizing everywhere and “building long-standing power,” including in the Deep South.

Take a look at some of the coverage below:

Atlanta Voice: ‘You Can’t Give Up On Local Races’: DNC Chair visits Georgia on eve of special election

[Donnell Suggs, 9/21/25]

“Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martic was in Alpharetta and stumped alongside Shigley and others in District 21 on Saturday.”

“‘It’s important for us to realize that we make sure we get Democrats elected on all levels,’ Martin told The Atlanta Voice. ‘That’s where the rubber hits the road.’

“Martin took part in door-knocking in Alpharetta and met Shigley supporters and local voters. He told The Atlanta Voice that he came away impressed with the level of support and interest. The DNC Chair used the phrase ‘off the charts’ to describe the energy around the Democratic candidate.

“‘There was a lot of excitement and energy,’ Martin said. ‘It seems like people in this district understand what’s at stake.’ …

“‘We really believe that when you organize everywhere, you can win anywhere,’ Martin said. ‘We believe we have a shot at winning the election on Tuesday. We have to compete on all levels.’” 

Georgia Recorder: Democrats’ chief visits Georgia to campaign with state Senate candidate as runoff enters homestretch

[Jill Nolin, 9/21/25]

“The national Democratic Party’s top official campaigned in Georgia this weekend with Democrat Debra Shigley in hopes of helping her flip a conservative state Senate district in the north Atlanta suburbs.

“Ken Martin, who chairs the Democratic National Committee, called Shigley’s surprising first-place finish in last month’s seven-way race ‘a huge overperformance for Democrats in a district that has historically been pretty red.’ …

“‘We’ve made the mistake as a national party for too long of just focusing on what happens in Washington D.C.,’ he told reporters Saturday. …

Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Why National Democrats are Focusing on Special Georgia Senate Race

[Michelle Baruchman, 9/20/25]

“DNC Chairman Ken Martin knocked doors with candidate Debra Shigley on Saturday in Alpharetta, reminding residents in Senate District 21, which covers parts of Fulton and Cherokee counties, to vote Tuesday.

“‘This is a big election, and we’ve got to get out to the polls. Election Day is Tuesday,’ he said to one Alpharetta resident. ‘Do you plan on voting?’ …

“In an interview with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Martin said Saturday’s visit is part of a broader effort from the DNC to more deeply invest in local contests instead of only focusing on federal power.

“‘For many years now, (the DNC has) ignored state legislative seats. We’ve ignored county seats, municipal seats, school boards. And we can’t do that any longer,’ he said.

“Democrats, he said, must be supported up and down the ballot. …

“‘If we just keep not showing up and not investing in these areas, then they’re going to continue to stay ruby red,’ he said. ‘But when you start to show up, you start to invest time, energy and money, over time, you start to move the needle, and over time, you start to win. That’s the idea here.’”

Center Square: Democrats eying special Georgia Senate election

[Kim Jarrett, 9/22/25]

“Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin went door to door for Shigley on Saturday. Also hitting the campaign trail to support Shigley was former Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, a former Republican who is running as a Democrat in the 2026 governor’s race. 

“‘Doesn’t matter if the district is ruby red or navy blue, the DNC is hyper-focused on mobilizing voters in every corner of the state and building long-standing power within Georgia,’ the party said in a statement on its website.” 

Atlanta Journal-Constitution: DNC Chair Stumping In Special State Senate Runoff Election

[Michelle Baruchman and Chris Joyner, 9/19/25]

“DNC Chairman Ken Martin will campaign with Shigley on Saturday in Senate District 21, a Republican-leaning district in north Fulton and Cherokee counties that both parties are eyeing as a test case for the 2026 midterms.

“Martin said he’s making the trip to Georgia because the stakes of this race ‘couldn’t be higher.’

“‘I’m going to Georgia to campaign for Debra Shigley, a small-business owner and mother of five who knows how expensive it is to raise a family,’ he said.”