Next Democratic presidential debate coming to Atlanta area

ATLANTA - The Atlanta area will play host to the fifth Democratic presidential debate in November.

The news was announced on Tuesday. It was not immediately clear where the debate would be held.

In a tweet, the Georgia Democratic Party wrote:

"We are incredibly excited to host the next Democratic presidential debates in Atlanta! Georgia is the future of the Democratic Party. We are the battleground state. We’re ready to flip Georgia blue in 2020."

In a statement released to FOX 5 News, Democratic Party of Georgia Chair Nikema Williams wrote the following: 

“National Democrats know that the road to victory in 2020 runs through Georgia, and we are thrilled to welcome them to our state. Georgia Democrats represent the present and future of the Democratic Party, and our voters will deliver the country for our next Democratic President. Georgia is the battleground state - and we are ready to win.”

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, who has been very vocal about bringing the debate to Georgia, weighed in on Twitter following the announcement:

"I am thrilled that Georgia will host next month’s Democratic debate on the future of our nation. No other state will play a more important role in the 2020 election than our great state. Georgia is in play!"

Former Georgia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams also applauded the debate in a tweet:

"I’m thrilled that next month’s Democratic presidential debate will be held in Georgia. We are the premier battleground state up and down the ballot, and we look forward to welcoming the candidates on November 20. #gapol"

In the 2018 gubernatorial race, a little under 49 percent of the vote went to Democratic candidate Stacey Abrams, but it was not enough to overcome Republican Brian Kemp's majority.

In the 2016 presidential race, a little more than 45 percent of the Georgians voted for the Democratic ticket but fell more than 211,000 votes shy of beating President Donald Trump.

The Democratic presidential debate is scheduled for November 20.