ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance made separate stops in Georgia on Thursday, underscoring the Peach State’s growing importance in the upcoming 2026 elections.

The vice president visited Peachtree City, where he toured Alta Refrigeration and pitched the administration’s new “Working Families Tax Cuts,” a rebranding of spending changes introduced during the Trump administration.

Second Lady Usha Vance traveled to Cherokee County, a GOP stronghold just outside Atlanta, where she visited the Cherokee Classical Academy. Her stop highlighted her Summer Reading Challenge.

“It really is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for these children and for us,” said state Rep. Jordan Ridley.

“It’s an honor that she chose Cherokee County,” said state Rep. Charlice Byrd.

“You don’t see that a lot, with people really getting very engaged,” said state Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick.

In a room full of fourth, fifth and sixth graders, Vance read “Paul Revere’s Ride” and took questions from students.

“The fact that she came all the way down here I think is something really huge,” said Addie Huffman, a 12th grade student.

Applause and excitement filled the auditorium, but outside, a group of protesters chanted as the motorcade pulled away.

“MAGA hurts kids,” protesters shouted. Others held signs accusing the administration of undermining democracy.

Organizer Martha Jean-Schindler said, “You make me go to school for 12 years, saying the Pledge of Allegiance, and telling me to be proud to be an American because at least we know we’re free, I’m going to take that very seriously.”

Back in Atlanta, Vice President Vance met privately with members of the Republican National Committee.

RELATED: Vice President Vance touts ‘big, beautiful bill’ in metro Atlanta

While details of the closed-door meeting were not made public, speculation is growing about the GOP’s strategy for the 2026 Senate race.

Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff, who currently holds the seat, called the visit “political damage control.” The White House has not yet endorsed a Republican challenger.

Copyright 2025 WANF. All rights reserved.