Economic Impact of Early Georgia Primary - Election Coverage

A new study from professor Tom Smith at Emory University's Goizueta Business School finds that Georgia’s position as fourth in the presidential primary lineup could have a sizable economic impact on the state.

He says in the most likely scenario, which includes 11 Republican candidates and 1 Democratic candidate, he estimates an early presidential primary in Georgia could generate $1.12 billion and create more than 10,000 jobs.

$220 million of the overall projected gains and over 2,200 jobs come from direct economic benefit to the state’s economy as a result of campaign spending, wages earned, and new tax revenue. The impact would be spread across the entire state.

Over $900 million of the overall projected gains and 8,700 of the estimated jobs come in the form of potential ‘rewards’ for Georgia by a current candidate or future president who campaigned early in our state. The majority of this impact would be felt outside of the Metro Atlanta region.