With Democratic hopefuls gathering in Atlanta for the next primary debate, many are beginning to see a path forward in turning Georgia into a blue state. 

Much like successful ventures in states like Virginia, Georgia Democrats are gaining more support in Atlanta, and voters from surrounding suburbs, like Gwinnett County, are enough to push the party over the top.

“What we’ve had here is an awakening,” Bianca Keaton, the first black woman to lead the Gwinnett County Democrats, said to The Washington Post. “We’re coming out of an era where Democrats operated but were closeted. It’s only just now that it’s okay to be a Democrat…. You can be a Democrat and actually win here.”

Part of the effort to continue the momentum in the state was the national party selecting Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta to be the host of the fifth debate Wednesday night, using the popularity and urgency of the presidential election to further the party's message in the state.

10 candidates qualified for this month's debate stage by reaching at least 3% in four approved polls or at least 5% in two early-state polls. On top of that, candidates were required to register donations from at least 165,000 unique donors.

According to The Washington Post, Sens. Cory Booker, Kamala Harris, Amy Klobuchar, Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, former Vice President Joe Biden, South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, entrepreneur Andrew Yang and philanthropist Tom Steyer were all able to qualify for the stage and will face off against each other yet again.

While some candidates, like Miramar, Florida, Mayor Wayne Messam and Rep. Beto O'Rourke, did not make the debate stage and subsequently dropped out of the race, former HUD secretary Julian Castro has committed to continue moving forward in his campaign.

"In the communities I grew up in, people didn’t quit when it got tough," Castro tweeted. "Those folks deserve a candidate who has lived their struggles, who champions the issues that impact them."

I’m not on the #DemDebate stage tonight. Some have asked “why stay in?”

In the communities I grew up in, people didn’t quit when it got tough.

Those folks deserve a candidate who has lived their struggles, who champions the issues that impact them. pic.twitter.com/jsYkc0En8g

— Julián Castro (@JulianCastro) November 20, 2019

Coverage of the debate is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. EST on MSNBC and can be streamed on WashingtonPost.com.