CAMPAIGN TRAIL. Former Republican Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan kicked off his campaign for governor on Wednesday with his first-ever event as a Democrat. To get things started, he headed to the Black Coffee Company, a Black-owned business in South Atlanta, where he ordered black coffee.

It wasn’t a rally or even a speech, but instead a chance for Duncan to chat up customers in the same spot that has hosted Stacey Abrams, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens and plenty of Atlanta City Council members in the past.

Duncan didn’t seem to get any hard “yes” votes with the visit that we could tell, but he did leave plenty of people open to considering him in the Democratic primary down the road.

“I think he was a breath of fresh air,” said Jamin Butler, president of the business. “He’s the only candidate who has come here so far, and I think that says something.”

Speaking to reporters afterward, Duncan dismissed comments from fellow Democratic candidates who said he’s not really a Democrat.

“Well, I’m not focused on them. I’m focused on the 11 million Georgians. I’m trying to deliver them, deliver a platform that focuses on their issues,” he said.

And he said he’s the best person to take on Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, the Republican who’s President Donald Trump’s preferred candidate.

“Burt Jones is going to have to explain Donald Trump, and good luck with that.”