Statesboro is a college town and home to Georgia Southern University.
Statesboro and Bulloch County aren't as progressive as Athens--home of the University of Georgia-- and Clarke County, but Democrats can do well in this area.
However, In most elections, Bulloch County has voted Republican.
The economy of Statesboro depends heavily on agriculture and the county's largest employer, Georgia Southern University, and one would think the county would be more supportive of Democratic policies especially in regard to education.
Earlier this year, Georgia Southern was considering making major budget cuts to their budget. The university was considering firing of its temporary faculty; more than 100 positions.
Butch Parrish, a Republican (House district 156) who had changed parties in 2006, is running unopposed in 2010 and has sided with conservatives and is an example of someone who gets voted into office, despite voting against the community's best interests.
There are 16 voting precinct locations in Bulloch County. The larger locations are based in the Statesboro area.
In essence, so goes Statesboro, so goes the county—most of the time. African-Americans make up approximately 40 percent of the city, so the most progressive precincts are located in Statesboro and Georgia Southern University.
The largest precinct is called the Pittman Park precinct which is located across the street of Georgia Southern University at the United Methodist Church in Statesboro. In 2008, Barack Obama won this precinct with 53% of the vote. Incidentally, this was one of two precincts that Obama won in 2008 in Bulloch County.
One other noteworthy point is that there were approximately 6,800 registered voters in 2008; however in 2010 the registration in this particular district has dropped to approximately 6,200.
There is a trio of Statesboro city precincts that have more than 4,000 registered voters at each location. The precincts are the following: The Fair Precinct (Kiwanis Ogeechee Fair Grounds) with approximately 4,500 registered voters, The Church Precinct (Statesboro Primitive Baptist Church) with approximately 4,400 registered voters, and the Statesboro Precinct (William James Educational Complex lunchroom) with approximately 4,300 registered voters.
Along with Pittman Park, the Statesboro Precinct was won with 54% by Barack Obama. The Church Precinct is more conservative; Obama received 49% of the popular vote. However, of the four largest voting locations in Statesboro, the Fair Precinct is the most conservative with only 32% voting for Obama on Election Day in 2008.
Even though cities and communities outside of Statesboro are more conservative, approximately 20,000 of about 33,000 registered voters reside in the Statesboro area.
Stronger Democratic and/or progressive candidates can do well and be competitive in Bulloch County.
According to the latest voting statistics as of June 1st, voters 18-29 outnumber the 60 and over age bracket in Bulloch County.
Could Statesboro and Bulloch County turn blue this fall if there is increased turnout from younger voters?
Bulloch County and Statesboro can flip to the Democrats, but it will take a stronger effort to attract younger voters to see the difference between candidates who actually support education and other issues involving younger people.
However, statistics don’t lie.
Bulloch County voted for George Bush twice this past decade with over 60 percent of the vote, and voted for Sonny Perdue in 2002 over Roy Barnes and once again in 2006 over a much weaker Democratic opponent in Mark Taylor, the former lieutenant governor.
President Clinton did win Georgia in 1992, but even with the presence of Ross Perot, George Hebert Walker Bush still manages to win Bulloch County with 45% of the vote.
However, Bulloch County voted for Roy Barnes during his landslide 1998 victory over millionaire Guy Millner.
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